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All About Baby!

Fact or Fiction? • Baby myths unraveled

Know the • signs of Postpartum Depression

Preparing • for your new bundle of joy

Spring Break

Fun: day camps

for kids, family

events and paintball

adventures!

The Essent ia l Resource for Central Ok lahoma Fami l ies www.Met roFami lyMagazine.comwww.Met roFami lyMagazine.comwww.

MARCH 2009

March 2009 www.MetroFamilyMagazine.com 3

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4 www.MetroFamilyMagazine.com March 2009

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Run the

We’re looking for families who want to challenge themselves and take charge of their health.

Join our online community and learn steps you can take to get fit and eat

better. Follow the training advice, get moving and take the challenge with us

on April 5, 2009 to walk or run the RedBud Classic in Nichols Hills.

There may even be fun surprises along the way!

with

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Have more family fun!Visit MetroFamilyMagazine.com

The Top Five Reasonsto visit MetroFamilyMagazine.com

this month:

5. Increase your health quotient. Sign up to be an Iron Mom and join us at the RedBud Classic April 5! MetroFamilyMagazine.com/Iron-Moms

4. Check out our fun blogs and learn how you can join our groups on Twitter and Facebook. MetroFamilyMagazine.com/blog

3. Go here for more fun ideas than you could cram in ten days of Spring Break. PLUS add some ideas of your own and watch the fun multiply! MetroFamilyMagazine.com/spring-break-fun

2. Check out our online list of Easter Egg Hunts (available mid-March). MetroFamilyMagazine.com/Easter- Egg-Hunts

1. Win BIG! Enter our monthly giveaway to be eligible to win one of two prize packages valued over $900 (great mom/baby products) and other contests for tickets to local productions including Disney’s The Lion King! MetroFamilyMagazine.com/contests

March 2009

It’s all about babies this month! From preparing financially (page 8) and emotionally (page 42) or learning how to ask for help (page 32), we’ve got you covered.

Also, find our handy Spring Break Camp Listing (page 29) full of activities for your older kids.


44 CalendarEvents and activities

18 Character FirstTrait of the month: patience

6 Dear MetroFamilyEditor’s Note

34 Exploring OklahomaPaintball adventures

8 Family Finances Preparing for Baby

10 Family ShortsNews you can use

42 In Touch with RelationshipsLife with baby

40 Iron Moms Slow down!

22 Let’s Eat The Wedge Pizzeria

24 Oklahoma Reads Book reviews

32 Q & A with the BeasleysMom—don’t try to do it all yourself

16 Your Healthy Family Demystifying cholesterol

Cover Photo: ©Kurhan ❘ Dreamstime.com

The Baby Issue

Baby myths uncovered: is it an old wives’ tale or is there some truth in

the advice being given?

2020 Postpartum depression: learn the signs and how to help3737

Our photo above: Expectant mom Mychi Davis of Oklahoma City shares books with her children, Everett, age 4, and Langli, age 2.

Info And Questions: 405-340-1404To submit events to our calendar [email protected]

Publisher Sarah L. Taylor

[email protected]

EditorMari M. Farthing

[email protected]

Art DirectorMitzi Massie

[email protected]

Advertising DirectorDonna Stewart

[email protected]

Advertising SalesRebecca Phansalkar

Karl McKinney

Office and Distribution ManagerKathy Alberty

[email protected]

Marketing SpecialistWhitney Fleming

Calendar Editor & Special Projects AssistantTerri Fields

[email protected]

Editorial AssistantsElizabeth HarveySherrie Horton

Graphics AssistantKathryne Taylor

[email protected]

Contributing Writers

Circulation35,000 – OKC, Edmond, Nichols Hills, Norman, Moore, Midwest City, YukonAlso available as a digital edition at

MetroFamilyMagazine.com.Articles and advertisements in MetroFamily do not necessarily

reflect the opinions of the magazine or Inprint Publishing, Inc. We do not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers

or editorial contributors. The acceptance of advertising by MetroFamily does not constitute an endorsement of the products,

services, or information. We do not knowingly present any product or service which is fraudulent or misleading in nature.

MetroFamily Magazine is published monthly By Inprint Publishing, Inc.

306 S. Bryant, Suite C152 • Edmond, OK 73034Fax: 405-340-1490

E-mail: [email protected]

©Inprint Publishing, Inc. 2009, All Rights Reserved.Volume 12, Number 03

Dear MetroFamily,

Ahh, March; spring is coming, and along with it, the promise of milder (although also sometimes wilder) weather. March also brings MetroFamily’s big baby-themed issue.

I’m reminded of when my own son was born, coincidentally in March, seven years ago. I remember what it felt like, anticipating his birth. I was excited and terrified, my emotions ran the gamut from good to bad. I read every book and magazine I could get my hands on, trying so hard to prepare for his birth. Friends would laugh when I began each conversation with “well, the book said ...” and these friends, all of them mothers already, would make an effort to hide their chuckles. I’m so grateful that they tolerated me!

That photo is from March 2002, taken when we left the hospital, bringing our son home to start a new adventure as parents.

Babies bring so much change to our lives, and while I doubt any of us can truly be prepared for a baby’s arrival, I do hope that this baby-themed issue gives you information that you can truly use if you are an expectant parent or know somebody who is.

Cheers,


Drs Lori & Stewart BeasleyJacqueline BodnarDevonne CarterMary Beth CoxMari FarthingShannon FieldsElizabeth Harvey

Tiffani Hill-PattersonClint LewisKaren MitchellAnnie NashertGayleen Rabakkuk Sue Lynn Sasser Terri Schlichenmeyer

Sign up to become a • MetroFamily Iron Mom and prepare to run the RedBud Classic with us. Plus enjoy motivation and other “perks” along the way. RedBud is Sunday, April 5, so sign up soon at MetroFamilyMagazine.com/Iron-Moms

Come see us at several events this spring: • Kids Fair (March 28; State Fairgrounds); RedBud Kids Run (April 4, Nichols Hills Plaza); RedBud 5K and Citizen’s Fun Walk (April 5, near Waterford Hotel, Penn and 63rd); MetroFamily’s own Summer Adventure EXPO (see below), April 19; and the March of Dimes Walk for Babies, May 2.

Coming Soon• : Our NEW travel guide to the state, Exploring Oklahoma with Children. Deadline is March 24 for advertising in our new travel guide. Call today! 405-340-1404.

Mark your calendar for our upcoming Oklahoma’s Summer Adventure • EXPO on April 19, noon-5pm, at the Downtown Sheraton Pavilion. This FREE event will feature the best summer camps, activities, and destinations for your family. Plus hands-on fun, entertainment, inflatables, and more. (Did we mention FREE?) Booths are going fast. Call our office today!

Become a fan of MetroFamily at • Facebook® (Facebook.com, search MetroFamily) and follow us on Twitter® (Twitter.com, search MetroFamily).

Next issue• : Our MOST POPULAR issue of the year, all about Summer Camps and Activities. Don’t miss it! Ad deadline is March 11; distribution date is March 27. Call our office TODAY! Don’t miss this opportunity! 405-340-1404.


Family FinancesPrepare Financially for Baby

Little boys are made of snips and snails and puppy dog tails while little girls are made of sugar and

spice and everything nice.

Most people have heard those old rhymes many times. If only it were that simple! While bringing home the new baby is a special time, it can also lead to emotional spending and expensive choices.

Marketers are aware of a new parent’s state of mind and do everything possible to feed those emotions by enticing them to spend, spend, spend. Today’s baby product industry pumps about $4 billion into our economy, providing a variety of necessities and luxuries for those bouncing baby boys and bubbly baby girls. When making plans for that new arrival, most families spend much more than originally planned because those little pink or blue products are just too cute to pass up.

Following are a few suggestions for new parents and grandparents to consider before lavishing the latest family addition with the latest cute products that significantly add to the cost of raising a child.

Make a budget.• Studies show that families spend an average of $6,000 preparing for baby’s arrival on top of the hospital bill. However, families can certainly spend much less by being creative and cost-conscious. For example, instead of buying coordinated sets of linens and crib sets, buy items separately. Complete sets often include things such as pillows and pillow cases that cannot be used by an infant. Eliminating unnecessary purchases will allow you to build in a few splurges, just in case

there is something you can’t resist!

Focus on the basics. • While it’s tempting to buy all the latest gadgets, gizmos and designer brands, your baby will be just as happy with the basics from discount stores. Baby clothes may be the cutest thing in the store, but babies grow rather quickly and only wear those newborn onesies for a short period of time.

Borrow items.• Check with friends and families about what they have available. Many baby items have limited use and can easily be borrowed for the short period of time you need them. The same is true for maternity clothes. Friends and families may be glad to pass them along instead of storing them in the garage.

Shop second-hand and consignment • stores. Having new is not always necessary. Shopping second-hand stores and consignment shops for strollers, furniture, baby clothes, maternity clothes and other items can save a lot of money. However, be sure to research potential unsafe products such as strollers for possible recalls. Taking your items to similar stores once your baby has outgrown them is also a great way to generate income for future purchases. Keep in mind that experts recommend never buying a car seat or crib second-hand.

Use cloth diapers. • Believe it or not, paying for a diaper service is generally less expensive than buying all disposable diapers. The same is true for using washcloths instead of paper towels when cleaning up your baby’s messes.

Keep receipts. • Because emotions run high when shopping for babies, you may purchase items on a whim, things that really are not needed once you come home from the hospital. Keeping tags on products and storing receipts in one place makes it easier to make returns and get full refunds.

Establish a college savings fund.• Encourage friends and family members to make contributions to your child’s future instead of buying

more things that you and your little one may or may not need. Be sure to keep the college fund in your name, however; money put into an account in a child’s name can reduce their eligibility for some scholarships, loans and grants. Plans like the 529 College Savings Accounts are good options because the funds remain in the name of the person who opened the account and, in Oklahoma, contributions to the Oklahoma College Savings plan are tax deductible.

Remember your retirement fund.• Because parents often get wrapped up in the excitement of a new baby and their child’s future, they may need to be reminded to take care of their own future needs. Saving for a child’s college education is important—but not as important as saving for retirement. College students have more options available to pay for their education than parents who want to retire.

Basically, children need to be clothed and fed. They need a place to sleep and a safe environment. And most importantly, they need your love and attention. That’s priceless.

Sue Lynn Sasser, PhD, is an associate professor of economics at the University of Central Oklahoma.

Today’s baby product industry pumps about $4 billion into our economy.

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Loyal customers are important to us. That’s why when you insure both your home and your car with us, you’re automatically eligible for a discount on your homeowners policy.*

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The winning entry will receive one of two prize package including some of the items pictured above, other items reviewed in this issue and many more items that would not fit in the picture! Full description of items listed at MetroFamilyMagazine.com/FS-Giveaway.

* Winner agrees to pick up items from NW OKC area.

MFM Question of the Month

How many recipes are in the Cooking for Baby book?

(Hint: see page 24)To enter, visit MetroFamilyMagazine.com/FS-Giveaway and complete the entry form and be eligible to win prize package

valued over $900. Deadline is Thursday, March 19.

Did you know that premature birth is the leading cause of newborn death and lifelong disability? The mission of the March of Dimes is “to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.” This mission is carried out through research, community services, education and advocacy to save babies’ lives.

According to the March of Dimes website, every week in Oklahoma:

130 babies are born preterm•

20 babies are born very preterm•

79 babies are born low birthweight•

14 babies are born very low birthweight•

The March of Dimes Prematurity Campaign seeks to raise awareness about premature births. An online Petition for Preemies urges the federal government to to support prematurity-related research in order to lessen the number of families affected by prematurity. Find the petition online at MarchOfDimes.com/Prematurity.

One way the March of Dimes fights prematurity is through the March for Babies. There are 20 walks scheduled for 2009, including several in the Oklahoma City Metro and areas nearby:

Lawton—April 25•

Oklahoma City—May 2• Duncan—May 2• Wewoka—May 9• Norman—May 16• Stillwater—September 11• Shawnee—September 26• Sulphur—September 26• Perry—October 3• Ada—October 10• Chickasha—October 22•

To learn more about the March for Babies events, visit the March of Dimes Oklahoma home page at MarchOfDimes.com/Oklahoma, or call 405-943-1025.

March of Dimes

Infant Crisis Services in New LocationOklahoma City’s Infant Crisis Services (ICS) supplies basic needs to families including formula, food, diapers and other basic needs. Each month, over 1,000 babies and toddlers in Central Oklahoma are helped.

ICS has now moved to a new location, 4224 N Lincoln Boulevard in OKC. Potential clients can contact ICS for details of items that can be provided and requirements for receiving benefits.

Infant Crisis Services is always in need of volunteers and donations to meet the needs of babies and toddlers. Whitney Fleming of Edmond recently donated her sons’ gently-used baby items. “They were so appreciative of my donation and it made me happy to know that these items would be put to immediate use.”

Call 405-528-3663 or visit InfantCrisis.org to learn about donating time or resources.

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Oklahoma Sustainability ConferenceThe Oklahoma Sustainability Network’s (OSN) mission is to connect and educate the people of Oklahoma concerning the many aspects of sustainability. The 8th Annual OSN conference will be held at the University of Central Oklahoma campus in Edmond, March 20-21.

Conference participants will learn how to live an eco-friendly life, reduce consumption, increase profits and preserve the environment. “Today’s global challenges have caused our society to become increasingly aware of the need to utilize resources more sustainably,” said Oklahoma Secretary of Environment J. D. Strong.

The two-day conference features speakers from Greenburg, Kansas, the town rebuilding itself “green” after being nearly leveled by a May 2007 tornado.

Admission is $75 for both days or $42.50 for one. Registration begins at 8:15am daily. Visit OKSustainability.org for details about the OSN or for conference registration.

Make Mine Chocolate!Courtesy of the Humane Society of the United States

For children, Easter and bunny rabbits are inseparable. But real bunnies can present a lot of challenges that last long after the candy is gone.

Despite being small, cute and cuddly, rabbits are a breed apart from hamsters, guinea pigs and other small mammals kept as pets.

Though providing care for these adorable creatures isn’t difficult, rabbits have a long lifespan—more than 10 years—and many specific care requirements. Anyone considering adding a rabbit to their family should carefully research books and web sites on rabbit care before making a decision.

Creating a safe environment for a pet rabbit can be challenging, especially with small children in the house.

The “Make Mine Chocolate!” campaign urges consumers to stop and think about the care and attention rabbits require before buying or adopting one.

The goal of the campaign—launched in 2002 by the Columbus, Ohio, chapter of the House Rabbit Society—is to help reduce the numbers of rabbits who are relinquished by their owners, particularly in the weeks following Easter.

“Animal shelters and rabbit adoption groups receive calls every day from people who want to relinquish their pet rabbit,” said Karalee Curry, chapter manager of the society.

“Rabbits are the third most frequently relinquished pet at animal shelters,” said Curry.

After doing your homework, if you decide a bunny is the right choice for a pet, local animal shelters are an excellent place to find one up for adoption.

For more information on caring for pet rabbits, go to humanesociety.org/rabbitcare.

All Things BabyAll Things Baby is a faith-based non-profit organization in Edmond, supplying children in need with clothing (sizes newborn-8), toys and books. There are no requirements for qualifying, and there are no fees involved.

Open by appointment to single mothers, families, and foster families, All Things Baby can provide items of all kinds, from diapers for baby to clothing to big brother or sister. Founded by Courtney Gregg to give expectant mothers an alternative from termination, this ministry has grown into a nationally-recognized 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

The organization runs on donations of new or gently used items for babies, pregnant mothers and children. Monetary donations are also welcome, and volunteering opportunities are available. To learn more about donating, please contact Courtney Gregg at 405-834-3251.

To learn more about All Things Baby, visit their website at AllThingsBabyOK.com. Those interested in receiving benefits should call 405-996-0949.

The Lion King in OKCThe Oklahoma City Civic Center Music Hall hosts the North American National Tour of Disney’s The Lion King for a five week limited engagement, April 21 through May 24.

Now in its second sold-out decade in New York, The Lion King is the winner of six Tony Awards including Best Musical, eight Drama Desk Awards, six Outer Critics Circle Awards, the New York Drama Critics award for Best Musical.

Performances will be held Tuesday-Thursday at 7:30pm; Friday at 8pm; Saturday at 2pm and 8pm; and Sunday at 1pm and 6:30pm. Special performances are scheduled for Thursday May 21 at 1pm and 7:30pm and Sunday May 24 at 1pm.

Tickets, $25 and up, are available now. Find out more by contacting the Civic Center Music Hall at 405-297-2264 or online at CelebrityAttractions.com.

Enter to win the Grand Prize of four Lion King tickets at HeyDay Entertainment, I-35 and Indian Hills Road between Norman and Moore. Deadline is March 31. Contest is supported by MetroFamily, HeyDay, Celebrity Attractions, Disney, and Il Trattoria Centro. Find details about the contest on page 23.

Easy to be Green

The Environment and Your BabyHow big is your baby’s carbon footprint? Yes, it may sound humorous, but babies create a huge negative environmental impact, from diapers and plastic toys to natural resources and detergents.

Parents seeking natural or environmentally-friendly options have more choices than in the past. One immediate eco-friendly option for feeding your baby is breastfeeding. Visit La Leche League (LLLI.org) to learn more. As baby ages, introduce foods that you make yourself, cutting down on the packaging and waste involved in pre-made baby foods.

With the recent worries of dangerous chemicals in traditional plastic baby bottles, glass bottles are making a comeback. Companies like Medela are marketing durable glass bottles ($16.99/2 8-ounce bottles) to meet this need. Medela also offers eco-friendly Bamboo Nursing Camisoles ($34.99) to address the needs of mothers seeking eco-friendly fabrics. Visit Medela.com to learn more.

Cloth diapers are another way to decrease your baby’s carbon footprint. An estimated 10,000 tons of disposable diapers go into landfills every day. Cloth diapers require an initial investment and a bit of work, but in the long run will save money. Cloth diapers are widely available at local or online retailers. Diaper services that deliver clean diapers and pick up the soiled ones are available in some areas; check your phone book for available options.

Visit Carbon-Balanced-Baby.org to learn more about your baby’s carbon footprint and what you can do to help make a difference.

Don’t forget—when you finish reading this issue,

pass it on to a friend or drop it in your recycle bin!

to


More Than a PlaygroundIt looks like a great way to find a fun park to play at with your kids. But it’s so much more. KaBOOM!, a national non-profit, began in 1995 when Darrell Hammond read a story in his local paper about children who suffocated while playing in an abandoned car because there was no place else for them to play.

KaBOOM!, which Hammond began with friend Dawn Hutchison, quickly grew from a group that helped to build parks and recreation areas to a nonprofit organization with a goal to have a safe play area within walking distance of every child in the country. Visit KaBOOM.org to learn more.

KaBOOM! also hosts an online database of playspaces. Visit PlaySpaceFinder.Kaboom.org to access a search by location. Whether you are searching for a local park that you’ve not yet discovered, or you are seeking a playspace for your kids on your next family trip, this database provides a valuable resource.

Reducing Infant MortalityBy Mary Beth Cox

Most people don’t want to think about the risk of a baby dying in the first year of life. Sadly, the reality is that approximately 100 Oklahoma County families experience the death of their new baby every year. In Oklahoma County, the infant mortality rate (or the number of babies who die per 1,000 live births) is higher than both national and state averages. In addition, African American babies die at over twice the rate as white babies.

The Fetal and Infant Mortality Review Project (FIMR) of Central Oklahoma is working to prevent families from experiencing the loss of their baby. The goals of the project are to reduce the rate of fetal and infant deaths in Oklahoma County and to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities. The project’s vision is that each woman in Oklahoma County will be healthy when she gets pregnant and will have a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby who will live to celebrate his or her first birthday.

The FIMR Project collects and reviews medical records on selected infant deaths and conducts home interviews with the mothers to listen to their story about what happened. Case summaries, without names, go to a Case Review Team that reviews the information and recommends how services could be improved to help families. Then, a Community Action Team, comprised of influential community leaders, works to make change happen in the community.

To learn more about the FIMR Project or get involved, please contact Mary Beth Cox, FIMR Coordinator, at 405-425-4406.

Data courtesy of the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

Keep Baby SafeIt’s a sad reality, but every year babies die after being left in hot cars. On a summer day, temperatures can reach over 130º in minutes. Baby Alert offers products to help keep babies safe at home and in the car.

The ChildMinder system ($89) is a passive child safety seat monitoring system designed to monitor your child in his seat. The one mm thick pad is placed in the childseat, and the key ring attaches to your keys. The system is activated when your baby is in the carseat, and if you move over 15 feet away from the carseat with the baby in it, an alarm will sound after six seconds.

The system works for babies 5lbs up to preschoolers. Visit BabyAlert.info to learn more about this product and others designed to keep babies and children safe.


Problem: You want your pre-baby body back!

Solution: FitDeck Postnatal Exercise Playing Cards ($14.95) can help. Exercises are clearly explained and portable, no equipment is necessary. Other workouts available, equipment-specific or equipment-free. (FitDeck.com)

Problem: It’s not morning, but your child thinks it’s time to wake up.

Solution: The GoodNite Lite ($34.99) helps your child realize day from night. A night light moon that becomes a sun when it’s time to rise and shine. (GoodNiteLite.com)

Problem: Unloading groceries with baby can be a challenge.

Solution: The Cart Stopper ($9.99) easily harnesses your cart to your car. This device reduces the risk of injury to both your child and

your car by keeping the cart in place. Available in three colors. (MyLilMonkeys.com)

Problem: Learning to crawl is tough on baby knees and elbows.

Solution: Dittany Baby SkidPants ($12) are reinvented leg warmers that provide cushion and comfort (and style) to your child as she learns to navigate the big, sometimes hard, world. Great for boys or girls, six months to four years. (DittanyBaby.com)

Problem: Your baby likes to strip off that sleeper.

Solution: Mookimoo sleepers ($22.50) zips up the back, preventing baby from removing it but allowing for easy access for mom and dad. Comfortable for baby, functional for parents. (Mookimoo.com)

Problem: You are recovering from a Cesarean.

Solution: The C-Panty ($37.50) address the unique needs of a post-Cesarean mom with a mild compression and silicone panel to provide support and comfort while mom heals and bonds with her new baby. A variety of colors and styles are available. (CPanty.com)

Problem: Showering can be painful for a breastfeeding mom.

Solution: The Shower Hug ($27.95) is made of knit terry velour and wraps around to provide support and comfort for mom in the shower. (ShowerHug.com)

Problem: You need another set of hands.

Solution: The Baby Butler Hands Free Bottle Holder ($19.95) holds the bottle for you, leaving that hand free to attend to other demands. (BabyButler.net)

See all of these products on our website, MetroFamilyMagazine.com.

Problem-Solving Products: Pregnancy & Baby Edition

Preparing Christ-Centered Servant Leaders

Highly Qualified Teachers• Beautiful New Facilities• High Tech Classrooms• Athletics• Fine Arts• Core Knowledge Curriculum• Student Leadership Institute• Skills for a Global Economy• All integrated with a biblical • wordview

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1-877-271-MILKThe Oklahoma Breastfeeding Hotline is open to answer questions and provide support to nursing mothers, prospective parents and health professionals.

The Hotline is open through a partnership of the Oklahoma State Department of Health, the WIC Program (Women, Infants and Children), Title V Maternal and Child Health Service and OU Health Services Center OB/GYN Department.

“We hope this hotline will help more mothers overcome some of the barriers they face to continue to breastfeed,” said Interim Commissioner of Health Rocky McElvany, MS. “This hotline is part of a long-range plan to help improve the health of Oklahoma’s babies.”

The hotline is open around the clock and staffed by International Board Certified Lactation Consultants provided by the OU Medicine Lactation Team.

Referral information is provided including outpatient lactation services available in Oklahoma, La Leche League breastfeeding support groups, and breast pump rental locations in Oklahoma. Hotline callers can find information about:

Milk production concerns•

Babies refusing to nurse•

Breast or nipple pain•

Medications and breastfeeding•

Working mothers and breastfeeding•

Breast pumps•

Breastfeeding in public•

Weaning•

Callers may leave a message for a return call that day, but callers are reminded that requests for medical advice should be directed to a physician.

BRIDGES Camp for GirlsDuring adolescence, many girls become self-critical, deferential and temperamental. The BRIDGES Camp is a self-esteem and leadership-building summer camp for girls in both middle school and high school. BRIDGES—Building Relationships Involving the Development of Girls’ Empowering Selves—is a week long camp held at Northern Arizona University. BRIDGES challenges girls to realize their potential and sets the foundation for a life of confidence, leadership and happiness.

“Raising teenage girls is a challenge,” said Laurie Sliva, BRIDGES Camp director, founder and life-skills trainer. “It’s typically when young women begin to lose confidence and ambition, making parent-daughter relationships difficult to maintain. Adolescent girls need opportunities to connect with peers, practice selflessness, develop leadership and communication skills, and discover their true selves.”

Session one (for high school girls) will be held June 21-27; Session 2 (for middle school girls) will be held July 19-25. For more information and registration, visit BridgesCamp.com.

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Your Healthy FamilyUnderstanding Cholesterol: Reading Beyond the Numbers

Cholesterol is an important indicator of overall health and cardiac risk. Cholesterol testing

is often required in assessing risk for a new life insurance policy. In the United States, cholesterol is big business, with cholesterol-lowering medications consistently appearing among the 100 most prescribed medications in the country. Having a background in pharmacy, this knowledge is not new for me. In fact, I had given lipid panels little thought, beyond knowing that cholesterol levels of 200 or below are best, but a recent visit to my own doctor had me questioning some of my own preconceived notions about cholesterol.

I recently went to a new family practitioner, and had returned for a follow-up to my initial visit to review all of my new-patient blood work. She sat across from me, looking over my labs, and mentioned that my cholesterol was a little elevated. My generally healthy thirtysomething self was a little taken aback by this information, but not nearly so much as what she followed up with. “However, your HDL is fantastic, so let’s not worry about this,” she said. WHAT? With my high level of good cholesterol, my risk ratio was extremely low, which made my total cholesterol number less important. Fascinated by this information, I did what any good writer does: I came home and began researching.

Cholesterol is your Friend!Cholesterol has long gotten a bad rap, due in part to direct-to-patient advertising campaigns that drug companies have been using in recent years. In fact, our bodies need cholesterol to be healthy. Cholesterol is required for hormone production, and is used by the body to produce cell membranes and protect nerves. High-density lipoproteins have antioxidant effects, helping to prevent and fight disease. So exactly what is all the negative buzz about, anyway?

Naughty or Nice?Cholesterol is a waxy substance that circulates in the bloodstream and in

all the cells of the body. Cholesterol can’t be dissolved in the blood. It has to be transported to and from the cells by carriers called lipoproteins. Most of us know there is “bad” and “good” cholesterol. Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) carry the cholesterol throughout the body to its organs and tissues. If there is too much cholesterol circulating in the blood, over time, LDL cholesterol particles begin to oxidize or shrink in size. These smaller particles can then enter the blood vessel wall and begin to build up beneath the blood vessel lining. Deposits of LDL cholesterol are known as plaques, and plaque buildup can eventually crowd the blood vessels, obstructing blood flow. LDL cholesterol levels below 100mg/dL are considered optimal.

On the other hand, high-density lipoproteins (HDL) are referred to as

“good” cholesterol. HDL cholesterol particles act as cholesterol scavengers, picking up excess blood cholesterol and returning it to the liver for disposal. High levels of HDL cholesterol reduce your risk of developing heart disease by removing dangerous cholesterol from the bloodstream. In addition, HDL cholesterol has anti-inflammatory and anti-clotting, and antioxidant properties, making it necessary for optimal health and disease prevention. Further, even patients who have a low-to-normal LDL cholesterol level may actually be at risk for heart disease if their HDL cholesterol is also below normal. Desired HDL levels in men and women are those above 60mg/dL.

In a lipid panel, triglyceride levels are tested along with LDL and HDL levels as a means of assessing risk of heart disease. Triglyceride is a form of fat produced by the body. Elevated triglycerides may be the result of excess weight, physical inactivity, cigarette smoking, excess alcohol consumption and a diet very high in carbohydrates (60 percent of total calories or more). High triglyceride levels appear to increase the risk of stroke, heart attack, and heart disease. Normal triglyceride levels should be below 150mg/dL.

Unfortunately, many of us fixate on the total number, and haven’t been looking at the breakdown. Lipid panels often include a cholesterol risk ratio, as mine did. A ratio of less than 3.2 indicates a low risk for developing heart disease. Many clinicians, mine included, feel this is a much better indicator of risk than total cholesterol. In my case, while my total cholesterol was considered borderline high, my HDL level was so

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high that my risk ratio was only 1.3.

Regardless of risk, patients should be aware of their baseline cholesterol levels, and should discuss the complete results with their healthcare provider. Keep an eye out next month for more information on lowering your LDL and triglyceride levels and raising your HDL.

Shannon Fields is a freelance writer and a Certifi ed Pharmacy Technician at Innovative Pharmacy Solutions.

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Character FirstPatience

Birds are singing, flowers are blooming and the stiff Oklahoma wind is kicking up the red dirt on

the softball field. It’s your child’s first game of the season and she is finally up to bat. You hold your breath as she waits for the pitch. The ball sails through the air and over home plate as she swings too late.

“Strike one!”

“It’s okay, honey. Try again,” you yell. She stomps her foot and shakes her head.

The pitcher winds up and once again the ball flies toward her. This time she swings much too early.

“Strike two!”

Your daughter shakes her head and kicks at the dirt, a familiar frustrated look colors her features. The third strike comes as no surprise.

She makes her way to the bench, her teammates glancing away as she passes.

On the bench, she seems more interested in the laces on her shoes than the plays of the game.

After the final inning, you walk to the car together. She doesn’t have much to say about her first real softball game.

But when she closes her door, she makes an announcement. “I’m no good. I’m quitting softball.”

It would be easy to agree and let her quit. But then you would be sending the message that it is okay to give up when things get hard.

The situation also gives you the opportunity to discuss the character trait of patience. Patience means accepting that some things may be difficult—and it may be some time before they improve.

Very few of us master a skill on our first try. And for many of us, accomplishments can take a very long time.

Consider this quote from Thomas Edison regarding his trial and error with the lightbulb. “I have not failed seven hundred times. I have not failed once. I have succeeded in proving that those seven hundred ways will not work. When I have eliminated the ways that will not work, I will find the way that will work.”

Edison mastered the art of patience long before he discovered which filament would glow inside the glass orb without burning up.

M.J. Ryan summed it up in her book, The Power of Patience. “Anything that

we could potentially become good at requires that we dedicate ourselves to long effort. This is only possible when we are patient with our progress, no matter how slow or fast it may be.”

How we respond to the situations we face every day is the biggest influence on how our children will develop patience. If they see us blow our top when traffic is heavy or when we can’t make the latest electronic gadget perform as promised, we are sending a loud message.

Patience also helps us directly as we parent our children. “It allows us to stop in this battle between independence and safety and assess what the best response might be,” Ryan writes. “It allows us to think before we act, which is crucial in this relationship where we have such power.”

To learn more about patience, check out The Power of Patience. Ryan includes chapters on how patience can improve every aspect of our lives in the home, workplace and community.

Elementary students will enjoy Beverly Billingsly Can’t Catch—the inspiration for the scenario above. And don’t let the title fool you, Beverly practices with her buddy Oliver. This book is about playing ball and is definitely not girly.

Gayleen Rabakukk is a freelance writer who spends her time in Edmond keeping up with her teenage and preschool daughters.

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Spotlight on Character WinnerMalek Ham frequently demonstrates the character trait of compassion. Compassion means investing whatever is necessary to heal the hurts of others. Malek’s mother shared two recent examples of his compassion with us. While waiting at the dentist office, Malek struck up a conversation with an elderly woman who was there all alone. He told his mom the lady had a “beautiful spirit” and when she asked how he knew that, Malek replied, “because I listened to her.” Malek and his family participate in Christmas charity programs and buy gifts from a wish list for underprivileged children. They were having trouble finding some of the items and Malek’s mom said they would substitute some other things the kids would enjoy. But Malek didn’t like that idea. “They are trusting us to come through for them. If we don’t who will?” Malek’s determination prompted them to visit more stores until they found every gift on every child’s list. Malek then used great care and love to bag and prepare the gifts for 10 children he had never met, investing time and energy to show them compassion. Malek is the son of Dr. Kelly Moyers and Jamie Ham of Edmond. He is in the 5th grade at Faith Christian Academy.

Catch them doing theright thing!Whether the student is a Kindergartner or teen, whether the act is simple or time consuming, we want to hear about your outstanding

student. Monthly winner receives a $50 savings bond.

Nominate them for MetroFamily Magazine’s Spotlight on Character Award.

Visit MetroFamilyMagazine.com/spotlight-on-character-award for contest details and nomination forms.

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Most new moms have been given advice on the do’s and don’ts of caring for an infant. Some of it is relevant and helpful, while some is a load of hogwash. And since most of the advice comes from well-meaning family and friends, it can sometimes be hard to tell the serious from the silly.Dr. Carden Johnston, former president of the American Academy of Pediatrics and Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine helps us separate fact from fiction. Not only has Dr. Johnston been practicing medicine since 1966, he and his wife have also been foster parents to 18 newborns, so we’re pretty sure he knows what he’s talking about.

TALE: What a breast-feeding mom eats can upset baby’s tummy.

TRUTH: “Some medicines that mom takes can cross over to the baby,” Dr. Johnston says. “So it would stand to reason that some food products would pass through, too. As far as certain foods upsetting a child’s stomach, there’s just no good data. It’s all just what grandparents have told children and grandchildren.

“If the foods upset mom’s stomach, they may upset baby’s, too. But very rarely, if ever, do foods that mom eats bother the baby.”

TALE: Picking up a baby too much will spoil him.

TRUTH: Dr. Johnston says this tale likely started during the Depression era. “Parents who were stoic and came through the Depression had a different view of raising children and pain and suffering. The thought was, ‘You’re supposed to hurt a little bit.’” Therefore, it didn’t harm a child to let him “cry it out.”

“Children cry, and they’re supposed to cry; that’s the way they communicate,” Dr. Johnston says. “Picking them up is a tremendous positive reinforcement, and it slows the crying. When a child cries, you think that something is going on with that child. They’re feeling anxiety or need something. If

a child is feeling anxiety, there is some scientific evidence that it slows down some brain development. So it’s probably beneficial to hold the babies a lot, whether they’re crying or not.”

One caveat: If the child is crying, crying, crying, and you’ve fed him, changed his diaper, and tried everything to comfort him, but nothing is working, it’s a good idea to put the baby down before you get too frustrated. “Parents have to take care of themselves,” Dr. Johnston says. “If you’re getting frustrated, it’s good for you to take a break. Lay baby in the crib, get some rest, then come back and try again to comfort baby.

“Bottom line is: Picking babies up every time they cry won’t spoil them. But don’t feel guilty if you’re not picking baby up every time there’s a whimper.”

TALE: Teething can cause diarrhea and/or fever.

TRUTH: “Parents often tell me their child is upset and having diarrhea and running fever when they teethe,” Dr. Johnston says. “It’s persisted so much in the common myth area that studies have been done, and all the studies showed no relationship between teething, diarrhea and fever (less than 100.6 degrees).”

However, in judging between science and what parents say, Dr. Johnston leans toward a more practical view. “My wife says teething does cause loose stools, and I hear that quite often so I tend to believe parents. There is a change at some point in teething and it may be different for different children.”

TALE: Feeding cereal at a very early age will help babies sleep.

TRUTH: “That’s common vernacular, and studies have been done and it doesn’t seem to work,” Dr. Johnston says. “What we’ve found is what children need in the first 6 months of life is breast milk. If you start adding other proteins, that could set up allergies and problems later on. There are some disadvantages to feeding children cereal at an early age and no measurable advantages. And that’s a change from when I started in the practice and we started cereal at 2 weeks or 4 weeks.

“Breast milk is best, and that or formula alone should satisfy all their needs until about 4 1/2 months when we start complementary foods.”


TALE: Reading to your fetus will make your baby smarter.

TRUTH: “Reading to baby or playing soft music after they’re born seems to keep baby calmer. And the calmer you keep the baby, the better the brain’s neurons grow,” Dr. Johnston says. But those benefits do not extend to time in the womb.

“It makes a little sense that parents who are concerned about their baby in the uterus and are singing to the baby are paying more attention and learning more about the baby.” And once the child is born, this may help the parents feel a stronger connection to the infant.

“It’s the same old story: The more attention you give your children, the better they’ll develop. It’s not cause and effect on the reading; it’s just paying attention and being concerned about the baby.”

Dr. Johnston offers this anecdote: He once had a patient whose parents sang “Puff the Magic Dragon” to their baby throughout the pregnancy. After the baby was born, the parents swore the child would calm down when he heard the song. “The familiarity of the noise was recognized by the baby,” Dr. Johnston says.

“Reading or especially singing to the fetus calms the parent and with a calm parent the growth facility of the baby is enhanced,” he adds. “There’s less fight-flight-fright hormone circulated in the mother, and if there’s less in the mother, there’s less in baby, too. Because mom is singing, those sounds are transmitted throughout the body’s fluids and can get to baby’s auditory network better.”

TALE: An infant’s thumb-sucking or pacifier use will cause “buck teeth.”

TRUTH: “If this were true, there should be lots of folks around with buck teeth,” Dr. Johnston says with a laugh. According to the American Dental Association’s Web site, “After the permanent teeth come in, sucking may cause problems with the proper growth of the mouth and alignment of the teeth. Children should have ceased sucking by the time the permanent front teeth are ready to erupt.”

“Fortunately, most people quit sucking their thumbs when they get exposed to a lot of peer pressure when they get to Kindergarten. There are a lot of testimonials of people who were thumb-suckers or paci suckers who end up with normal teeth to dispel this theory,” Dr. Johnston added, chuckling.

On a serious note, “There’s early development of the maxilla of the teeth area, and then as you go through adolescence there’s another growth period. I think that secondary growth period has a lot to do with avoiding buck teeth as well.”

TALE: Cats will suck the breath out of an infant.

TRUTH: In his more than 40 years as a pediatrician and working in an emergency department with 60,000 visits a year, Dr. Johnston, who also started the emergency department at Children’s Hospital in the 1970s, says he’s never seen nor heard a report of this feline phenomenon. Yet, it’s a tale that has persisted for more than 400 years.

According to the urban-legend-busting Web site snopes.com, this far-out feline myth was seen as early as the 1600s. The site says printing sightings of the superstition date to 1607, and in 1791 a jury at a coroner’s inquest in England ruled that a cat had indeed sucked the breath out of a child, killing him. The second part of this tall kitty tale is that the cat will try to suffocate the new baby out of jealousy. (snopes.com/critters/wild/catsuck.asp)

“Some cats or other animals like babies and usually treat babies with a lot of deference,” Dr. Johnston says. “Very rarely will you get one that’s jealous of baby. Cats are agile and can jump into the bed because they enjoy being close to baby; it’s like a new kind of toy. If a child dies of SIDS, and there’s a cat in the house, it’s easy to say it’s the cat’s fault, that it laid on top of the baby or got too close to the baby. But there’s just no way to suck the breath out.

“People who have studied SIDS have looked at that question pretty hard, extremely hard, and there’s no association. That’s one myth that is easy to dispel.”

However, you should keep animals away from your newborn, especially out of the baby’s bed. There’s a remote possibility that, while cuddling with a baby, your pet could accidentally smother the child.

“We see lots of dog bites. If a child crawls over to a mama dog who’s feeding or ready to eat, that dog can easily take a snap at the child,” Dr. Johnston says. “We see a lot more trouble with cats when the 2-year-olds come along and don’t know how to be gentle with animals and they get scratched.”

If someone offers advice that you’re not quite sure about, ask your pediatrician. Your doctor can help you figure out whether it’s fact or fiction.

Tiffani Hill-Patterson writes about parenting, health and fi tness. She blogs about her family’s experience with deafness and cochlear implants at soundcheckmama.blogspot.com. Reach her at [email protected] or visit TiffanihillPatterson.com.


Let’s Eat: Restaurant ReviewThe Wedge Pizzeria

When you enter through the door of The Wedge, stop a moment and take a long, slow breath

to enjoy the aromas. This is a small, intimate pizzeria with approximately 11 small tables and bar seating. You may need to be prepared for a wait if you enter during the rush hours but don’t be deterred; it’s worth the time. While waiting for your order, take in the bobble head doll collection and the brick pizza oven in the corner.

My daughter Mandy was a willing participant on this restaurant review. We had heard of The Wedge but were under the misconception that they served pizza by the slice, or wedge; they don’t. Their ingredient choices are a little more Italian than most places. Mandy was hoping for some Hawaiian-style pies, but not this time. Some of their toppings include roasted fennel, arugula, truffle oil, sage, fig and capers. Salads are featured with fennel, or roasted beets and oranges, not just traditional lettuce.

We thought we would start our visit with an order of handmade meatballs ($6) and Wedge flatbread ($3.50). The meatballs were an order of five meatballs topped with marinara sauce and slices of parmesan cheese. These had a fine texture (more so than those I make) with a good flavor. I was thrilled there was not a strong fennel taste as there can sometimes be in traditional Italian cooking. The flatbread was the size of the pizza topped with herbs (oregano and rosemary) and parmesan cheese. This was tasty dipped in olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Should you

have any left, be sure to take it home and enjoy with soup or salad.

Now let’s talk about the pizzas! For the manly man, you might order The Italian Stallion ($14) with port wine and sun dried tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, roasted fennel and Italian sausage. For the vegetarians in your group, the Vedge ($13) is topped with garlic, red bell peppers, artichokes, crimini mushrooms, pine nuts, ricotta cheese and mozzarella. For those with a European flair, try the Truffle-Shuffle ($15) with truffle oil, sage, crimini mushrooms, spinach, roasted chicken, parmesan cheese and mozzarella.

Mandy wanted to try the American Pie ($14) and I wanted to try the Perfect Margherita ($13), so we got half of each ($14). The American Pie has marinara sauce, chopped meatballs, oregano, onion, parmesan cheese and mozzarella. The Margherita pizza has freshly sliced Roma tomato, basil, roasted garlic and mozzarella. I thought both pizzas were very good. The crust was thin and crispy, topped with yummy flavors.

If you need a bite of something sweet, they offer traditional gelato ($4). The flavors vary by day. On the day we were there, it looked like they had chocolate and vanilla. We saw it pass by our table and fought the urge to grab it.

The Wedge has been open almost two years. It is nice to see that it seemed booming with customers, the staff was very friendly and it makes you feel good to see them washing their hands behind the counter. Your sense of sight, sound,

smell and taste should be well-satisfied at this intimate locale.

Fun Food Factoid: Fennel is a perennial herb popular in Mediterranean and European cooking. The seeds, delicate leaves, and bulb can all be used. It has a strong anise (licorice) flavor.

Annie Nashert has a husband and grown daughter who assume everybody has homemade dessert nightly.

Find more restaurants reviews at

MetroFamilyMagazine.com/family-friendly-restaurants

Annie’sRestaurant Rating

3 of 4 forks

The Wedge Pizzeria4709 N Western, OKC

405-602-3477

The Wedge Pizzeria II230 NE 1st (Deep Deuce), OKC

405-270-0660

HoursMonday-Thursday 11am-3pm &

5-10pm;Friday 11am-3pm & 5-11pm;

Saturday noon-11pm;Sunday 5-10pm

Prices $3.50-$15


Oklahoma ReadsBook Reviews

Reviews by MetroFamily Magazine editor Mari Farthing.

Picture books for PreschoolersClean Up Time, Naptime, Bye-Bye Time, Listening Time

(Free Spirit Publishing, board books $7.95 each)

Preschoolers love to learn, and this Toddler Tools series of books provides many lessons. Children will enjoy the brightly-colored pages and rhymed verse. Parents and caregivers can get tips from the back page of the book, which also includes an activity or game to use to reinforce the lesson of the book.

Non-Fiction for grades 1-3Kaliedopops: Oceans

(Silver Dolphin Books, hardcover pop-up, $15.95)

This brightly-colored pop-up book provides page after page of colorful ocean scenes, stocked with details about a wide variety of ocean-dwelling animals. From the darkest ocean depths to coral reefs; color-changing fish and poisonous varieties, kids will love the vibrant illustrations.

Fiction for grades 4-6Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw

by Jeff Kinney(Amulet Books, hardcover $12.95)

This third volume in the popular Wimpy Kid series (soon to be turned into a movie) introduces new characters and continues the story of Greg as he navigates through life. Written in diary form with drawings and sketches, this

book encourages even reluctant readers to become engaged. Some parents may find the text to be a bit sassy in places, but overall the book is a fun read.

Non-fiction for grades 5 and upMiddle School Confidential: Be Confident in Who You Are

by Annie Fox(Free Spirit Publishing, softcover, $9.95)

The engaging story of Jack, Jen, Chris, Abby, Mateo and Michelle is told through cartoon panels, quizzes, and quotes from teens and tweens. First in a series geared toward tweens, this book includes lessons on things that middle schoolers are concerned with—such as peer pressure, controlling feelings, and staying healthy.

CookbookCooking for Baby

by Lisa Barnes(Simon & Schuster, hardcover, $19.99)

This is a great resource for anyone interested in either making their own baby food or making more diverse options than what is commonly found on store shelves. Over 80 recipes include eggplant, hummus and avocado. Recipes are organized by baby age (6 months, 7-8 months, 9-11 months, 12-18 months) and include tips for appropriate options by age, feeding tips and nutritional guidelines.

Find many other book titles at

MetroFamilyMagazine.com/oklahoma-reads


Labor of Love: A Midwife’s Memoir

by Cara Muhlhahn(Kaplan Publishing, $25.95)

At first, you were afraid to look. You couldn’t wait, but you couldn’t peek, either.

Then you saw it.

The stick said “+”. It was official. You’re pregnant.

Aside from all the preparation,

the crib, wipey-warmer, changing table, blankies, sleepers, mobiles, and a gazillion diapers, you now have to get ready for the actual act of bringing your baby into the world.

Now imagine birthing ten babies a month. It’s easy to do if you’re a midwife who loves her job, as you’ll discover in the new book “Labor of Love” by Cara Muhlhahn.

Even before she was born, Cara Muhlhahn says she was probably destined to be a midwife: she was born feet-first. No matter how often her mother’s doctor turned her, Muhlhahn went back to breech. It must’ve been an omen.

As the second of five daughters, Muhlhahn was able to help her parents with her younger siblings. Later, she says she took on babysitting jobs, caring for cousins and other neighborhood children. At 19, she traveled to Europe to see the world and while visiting her sister in Denmark, Muhlhahn heard the word midwife.

Believing that the best place to study midwifery was on the West Coast, she flew to Oregon, where she apprenticed with a woman who taught Muhlhahn the basics of birthing. Later, she worked at a clinic in El Paso, Texas. After a brief career-burp with a California cult, Muhlhahn went to Columbia University in New York, worked in several hospital settings, and eventually set up shop literally in a corner of her own bedroom so she could put into practice all that she had learned from so many.

Oh, and along the way, she fell in love, had a son and became a single mother.

In this book, Muhlhahn remembers some of the mothers she assisted and the babies she delivered, including the one infant she lost and how the child’s death affected her and her career. She gives nods to mentors and to the people who made her a movie star (the film, “The Business of Birth,” stars several women, Muhlhahn, and Hollywood’s Ricki Lake).

And she boasts. A lot.

That’s the bad news in this otherwise good book. Author Cara Muhlhahn tends to tell us all the wonderful things she did and how much people loved her. Self-confidence ain’t lacking for a second here.

But give Muhlhahn her due and look beyond the braggadocio. The reason to read this book is because the author gives mothers-to-be a lot of solid advice and reassurance. Her experiences are empowering and the stories are beneficial: labor in the way that’s comfortable for you. Trust your body to do awesome things. Listen to your intuition. Remember this, as Muhlhahn says, “… I often feel it’s disempowering to a mother for me to say that I’m delivering her baby. No, she is.”

While “Labor of Love” is a decent read, if you’re a mom-to-be or a mom-wanna-be, you’ll get more from it. For you, this is a book to push for.

Terri Schlichenmeyer has been reading since she was three years old and she never goes anywhere without a book. She lives on a hill in Wisconsin with two dogs and 11,000 books.

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We see it everyday…as we flip from channel to channel, the same negative stories of tragedy and gloom seem to saturate the news. We are often left wondering if anything good ever happens in the world anymore. Does any good ever come out of all this bad? Are there ever any happy endings? In a world filled with dark clouds, wouldn’t it be nice to hear a little more about the silver linings?

In her incredibly uplifting book, “Class Act,” licensed professional counselor and award-winning journalist Dorian Leigh Quillen, presents eight stories that will stir your soul and change the way you look at adversity. These stories feature eight young people from Oklahoma who overcame amazing odds and “turned tragedy into triumph.” Quillen refers to them as “reluctant heroes,” as they never sought the spotlight. They simply rose above the great misfortunes that life dealt them.

Take for example the story of Jennifer Matli Wright. On the last day of Christmas break in her senior year of high school, she watched as a drunk driver plowed into her entire family, killing them all. Five months after the accident, she went on to deliver the valedictorian address at Piedmont High School.

She married one of her classmates and worked as an operating room nurse before becoming a stay-at-home mom of two.

Then, there’s Savanna Petricek—a beautiful girl who suffered physical and emotional abuse and was burned over thirty-eight percent of her body at the age of five when she was standing too close to a fireplace and her dress caught on fire. Abandoned by her family, Savanna was adopted in 2000. Her adoptive mother was told she would always be delayed in school and would have a lot of psychological issues. Savanna defeated all of the odds and went on to graduate in the top five percent of her high school class. She plans to major in pre-med and biology at the University

of Oklahoma and works as a counselor for the Oklahoma Firefighters’ Burn Camp.

“There is such a lack of encouragement and hope in our society today,” says Quillen. “I wanted people to know that, whatever age, whatever you may be facing, you can get through it and that you can not only survive, but you can still go on to have success and have a good life.” Quillen says she is saddened by the fact that many kids think there are

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no options for them because bad things have happened to them. She wanted this book to convey a message of encouragement.

“We’re all human and we all struggle with things,” adds Quillen. “Everyone has bad things happen to them. We don’t have a choice what happens to us, but we do have a choice in how we respond. We can choose our perspective and our attitude.” Quillen says “interviewing these young people and writing about their stories has been one of the most humbling experiences of my life. It is an honor to write about such ‘class acts.’”

Although the official release date for “Class Act” is March 26, 2009, the book can be purchased now on Amazon.com or direct from the publisher at publishamerica.com. It retails for $16.95.

So, the next time you find yourself feeling distraught by the nightly news, might I suggest that you flip off your television and pick up a copy of “Class Act” for a dose of much-needed hope.

Elizabeth Harvey is an Editorial Assistant for MetroFamily Magazine.

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March 16-20ArtzPlace Oklahoma (formerly Studio Mid-Del)1730 Center Drive, Midwest CIty405-741-6666; studiomiddel.comRegister by March 11 for Arts Alive Camp;9am-4pm daily for ages 6-12; $100; kids will work in a variety of art mediums, including printmaking and fiber. All materials provided. Campers should bring lunch, two beverages, a snack and wear old clothes.

City Arts Center3000 General Pershing Boulevard, OKC405-951-0000, CityArtsCenter.org

$140 per session; 9am-4pm daily; Art Safari for ages 5-7; Painting Potions for ages 5-7; Animation Creations for ages 8-12; Buggin for ages 8-12; Clay All Day for ages 12 and up.

Multi Activity Center (MAC)2733 Marilyn Williams Drive, Edmond405-359-4630, EdmondOK.com$150 first child, $115 each additional child (includes T-shirt); 7:30am-5:30pm; arts & crafts, pottery, games, theme day, movie on the big screen, team building & brain games.

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Mad Science of Edmond344 S Santa Fe Ave, Edmond405-285-9643; MadScience.org/CentralOklahoma$135. Wonders of Science camp for 2nd-5th graders. 1-4pm daily. Includes afternoon snack and take home activity.

Oklahoma Aquarium300 Aquarium Drive, Jenks (near Tulsa)918-528-1513, OKAquarium.org$50 per day; 9am-4pm daily; before and after care $5 (8am-5:30pm) for children grades Kindergarten-5. 10% discount for Aquarium members.

Oklahoma Children’s Theatre2501 N Blackwelder, OKC405-606-7003, OklahomaChildrensTheatre.org$150 per session; 9am-4pm daily; before and after care 8am-6pm. Mermaids and Mateys Theatre for ages 5-7; Dragons and Fairies Theatre for ages 5-7; Pirates and Princesses Theatre for ages 8-12; Movin’ Monkeys Dance for ages 5-7; Noisy Natives Dance for ages 8-12; Island Magic for ages 8 and up.

Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History2401 Chautauaua Avenue, Norman405-325-4712, snomnh.ou.edu

Drop-in activities throughout the day include art workshops, nature hikes, storytelling, and scavenger hunt. Free with museum admission.

Science Museum Oklahoma2100 NE 52nd, OKC405-602-3760, ScienceMuseumOKC.orgRegister by March 11 for Science Camps; $200/student for members; $235/student for nonmembers; 9am-4pm daily. Grades 1-3 and 4-6. Camp includes hands-on activities, lunch, and T-shirt.

Stella Maris Learning Center1324 S Fretz Avenue, Edmond405-474-3982, StellaMarisOKC.com$125 for week; 9am-noon daily; math, reading, music and fitness activities for ages six and up.

March 17-19Young Chefs Academy3209 S Broadway Suite 101, Edmond405-285-5939, YoungChefsAcademy.com$85; 1-4pm; Ages 4 and up. Little chefs will learn cooking techniques by cooking breakfast on Tuesday, lunch on Wednesday and supper on Thursday.

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Oklahoma City Zoo2101 NE 50th, OKC405-424-344, OKCZoo.com$20 (member) & $25 (non-member) per camp per day; 9am-12pm; Ages 4-5 or 6-7. Explore bugs, make treats for the animals, discover birds and animal movement. Tuesday, March 17, Buggin’ Out, Wednesday, March 18, Diggin’ In, Thursday, March 19, Goin’ Up, Friday, March 20, Movin’ On.

March 18-20OSU Cooperative Extension Center900 NW Portland, OKC405-713-1125, OSUOKC.EDU$30 plus supplies; 9am-noon or 1-4pm. Sewing camps for ages 10-19 emphasizes one-on-one attention, use of sewing machine, using patterns, cutting and construction.

Little River Zoo3405 120th Avenue SE, Norman405-366-7229, LittleRiverZoo.comSpring Junior Zookeeper Camp Session, 10am-4pm for children ages 5 and up to experience life as a zookeeper and conservationist. $89.


Q & A with the BeasleysHow Can a Mom Do It All?

Dr. Stewart: There are plenty of research studies showing the effects of stress on our bodies. Stress has been linked to depression, weight gain, chronic fatigue, and a myriad of other health-related problems. Just being pregnant for nine months and delivering a baby is enough to stress out a woman. And it is not unusual for you to feel overwhelmed and ineffective. You are not alone. But it is important that you find ways of coping with the stressors in your life.

Dr. Lori: Stress also has a “trickle down” effect in families. Babies aren’t born with stress management skills and growing up around a parent who is frazzled tends to result in frazzled kids. We don’t want our children stressed, but unless we as parents teach our children how to cope with stress, our children will be unprepared to tame the stresses of life.

Dr. Stewart: One of the first things I would encourage you to do is to sit down in a quiet place where you can afford the luxury of thinking without being disturbed. This may be where your husband’s offer comes into play. Ask him to stay with your daughter while

you take some time for yourself. Then sit down and ask yourself these questions: (1) Am I realistic in my expectations of myself or do I have expectations of being Super-Mom? (2) Do I adequately take care of my physical, mental, and spiritual needs or do I rely upon catching opportunities here and there whenever I can? (3) Why is it difficult for me to ask for help—especially when it is freely offered? and (4) What healthy (and unhealthy) coping skills am I modeling for my child?

Dr. Lori: As Stewart suggests, we women sometimes need to take “turtle time,” a time when we figuratively pull into our shell, shut out the outside world and recharge our emotional batteries. It takes a lot of energy to do what we do day after day, week after week, and our emotional reserves get depleted. Taking time for yourself to exercise, rest, visit friends, or sit back with your

feet up for a few minutes each day may seem selfish, but in the grand scheme of things, doing these things results in a recharged mom with more energy and vitality to give away.

Dr. Stewart: Speaking from a man’s point of view, I think many wives think we husbands might expect more from them than we actually do. Men tend to compartmentalize life into manageable units and approach tasks differently than women. But a truly loving and supportive husband realizes when children are in the family that more cooperative efforts have to be implemented to get things done. Sometimes we are slow to recognize that by being more giving, the result often is receiving more. By helping with the household duties or child care, our spouse has more energy and more zest for life, which they can then share with us.

Dr. Lori: It’s important that you realize that help is available to you and that it is not a sign of weakness or inability to utilize the resources that are available to you. Your husband has offered to help. Make a list of things he can do to

help and sit down with him and go over it. Raising a child is a team effort and you are not approaching it that way. In a way, that robs your husband of being an integral part of the team and developing a good feeling about being actively involved in his marriage and in his child’s upbringing.

Dr. Stewart: And I would just reiterate the need for balance in your life. There must be time for you; there must be time for you and your husband; there must be time for you and your child; and, there must be time for you and your family. It’s all a balancing act, but you can do it. Just think of yourself as an important and critical part of your family that needs self-awareness of your own needs so that you will be aware of the needs of other members of your family.

Dr. Lori: Even the President of the United States finds time to exercise daily and play on the weekends! If he can do that with all he has on his plate, you can also. He does it so that he can maintain adequate stamina to meet the demands of his job; you do it so you can maintain adequate stamina to meet the demands of your roles of Mom, wife, and person! You—and your family—deserve that. Good luck.

Lori Beasley, EdD is Asst. Vice President of Academic Affairs and Professor of Family Life Education at the University of Central Oklahoma. Stewart R. Beasley, PhD is a licensed psychologist who practices in Edmond and Oklahoma City and is Clinical Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine.

Do you have a question about early childhood issues for the Beasleys? E-mail it to [email protected].

Dear Beasleys,

I am the mother of a 16 week old infant girl. She is my first child and I looked forward to her birth from the day I first confirmed I was pregnant. But I can’t enjoy her. I’m exhausted! She’s not a difficult or demanding baby, but I just can’t find enough hours in my day to get everything done and tend to her needs also. My husband recognizes that I am stressed out and offers to help me, but I think I ought to be able to do it all without help. I guess I’m just wondering how other moms meet the needs of their baby, their husband, and themselves at the same time. Can you help me?

Tif

Find more parenting resources at

metrofamilymagazine.com/parenting


With Creole musicians Leon Chavis & Joseph “Chopper” Chavis

Metropolitan Library System Spring Fling presents

March 15: Downtown Library, 300 Park Avenue 2:00pmMarch 16: Ralph Ellison Library, 1918 NE 23rd 12 noonMarch 16: Midwest City Library, 8142 E. Reno 7:00pmMarch 17: Southern Oaks Library, 6900 S. Walker 1:00pmMarch 17: Bethany Library, 3510 N. Mueller 7:00pmMarch 18: Choctaw Library, 2525 Muzzy Street 10:30amMarch 18: Warr Acres Library, 6901 NW 63rd 2:00pmMarch 19: The Village Library, 10307 N. Penn 1:00pm

Spring Fling Schedule:March 19: Belle Isle Library, 5501 N. Villa 7:00pmMarch 20: Edmond Library, 10 S. Boulevard 10:00amMarch 20: Del City Library, 4509 SE 15th 1:00pm


Exploring OklahomaAdventures in Paintball

Trying to come up with a fun 16th birthday celebration or a way to keep teenagers entertained during

spring break can be pretty challenging. But, I found one—paintball. My husband and I took ten boys to Adventure Zone, a paintball field in Guthrie, for our son’s 16th birthday and they had a blast. Now, you may be wondering what paintball is and what it has to do with our Exploring Oklahoma series. Read on.

What is paintball?Paintball is a sport in which participants eliminate their opponents by marking them with colorful water-soluble paint discharged by a compressed air, carbon dioxide or nitrogen powered gun called a marker. Usually, the participants are placed on teams, so teamwork and communication become important skills for winning. Paintball is played on fields designed solely for the sport. These fields typically have several courses ranging from wooded acreages for longer recreational games to small open fields for fast tournament-style play. Along with fees to use the field, supplies can be rented. In our case, several of the boys brought their own equipment. While you are welcome to walk on to fields, reservations are usually necessary for groups of ten or more.

“Paintball has become one of the fastest growing sports in the last ten years rivaling baseball in its popularity,” said Chris Angier, co-owner and general manager of Shaggy Brothers Paintball Supply (and Adventure Zone). The sport is especially popular with church groups, business

groups and for birthday celebrations. Paintball is played by all age groups from about ten years old and up, from beginners to advanced tournament level players.

With paintball’s growing popularity, the number of paintball fields has grown since the sport’s inception in the 1970s. Currently, Oklahoma has approximately 24 fields according to paintball websites.

While most are located on outdoor acreages, there are a few indoor fields.

How safe is paintball?Angier says that paintball is one of the safest sports with fewer reported

injuries than even bowling. However, safety practices are an important consideration when choosing fields. While the industry is not formally regulated, there are a few practices to watch for, according to Angier. First, players should receive a safety briefing before each session. Referees must be on the field of play at all times to ensure fair play and adherence to safety rules which include the wearing of specially designed masks that protect the face

and eyes and the use of barrel plugs when not in active play. Also, the field should be insured.

One warning! Paintball is not for the faint of heart. Agility and speed are necessary as players run from cover to cover and dodge their pursuers. The paint pellets can also sting when they hit (something our boys confirmed—especially when playing

in the near freezing condition as they were), so participants are well-advised to wear layers for padding. Paintball supply stores offer equipment including protective gear for those who decide to get serious about the sport.

Paintball is a great team-building and bonding activity, especially for the males in your group. My husband enjoyed playing “Rambo” as the referee made him a one-man team against the boys’ two five-man teams. I chose not to play and returned to the warmth of our home (someone had to prepare the cake). I do recommend bringing a cooler with drinks and snacks as play lasts for

several hours. Our boys devoured all we brought to eat and drink in the four hours they played.

I believe our son is hooked and I’m sure we’ll be returning to Adventure Zone and exploring some of the other area


Find more staycation ideas at

MetroFamilyMagazine.com/Family-Fun

paintball fields. So, if you are looking for activities to entertain your teenagers (or husband) this spring break, take them paintballing at one of the many Oklahoma paintball fields. You’ll have a reason to see other areas of the state that will even excite your teenagers about exploring Oklahoma.

More InformationFor more information on paintball, tournament schedules and field locations, there are a number of websites including PBReview.com. For information on Adventure Zone, call 936-0606 or visit their website at shaggybrotherspaintball.com.

Karen Mitchell, a life-long resident of the Oklahoma City metro area, has been married to Mark since 1983 and is the mother of two teenagers. With a degree in Journalism and a career in sales, Karen is enjoying her return to writing.

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 4.3 million babies were born in the United States in 2006. For most new parents, it’s a joyous, albeit exhausting, new time in their life. For 50-80 percent of the women giving birth each year, however, they go through a short period of feeling down or depressed. This condition, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is referred to as the “baby blues.” While the usual baby blues tend to last for roughly the fi rst two weeks after the baby is born, many women go on to experience something that lasts much longer.

“In contrast to baby blues, postpartum depression is a more intense depression that begins within four weeks of delivery, lasts for more than two weeks, and causes signifi cant distress or impairment,” explains Dr. Stephen Scott, a psychologist from Norman.

Jacqueline Bodnar is a Port Orange, Florida-based freelance writer and mother of two.


In fact, according to the NIH, 10-15 percent of all women giving birth will experience postpartum depression, and that quickly adds up to a sizeable total. Postpartum depression is a serious condition that can have an impact on the mother’s ability to bond with her baby and participate in life. Understanding this condition, identifying it, and seeking treatment can make all the difference.

Bonding IssuesAs most mothers know, bonding with the new baby is an important part of giving birth. After spending nine months creating this new life, it’s hard to imagine that you suddenly want nothing to do with it. Yet, for women suffering with postpartum depression, that’s often the case. After Linda Smith of Naples, Florida, gave birth to the first of her two children, she had postpartum depression.

“I just didn’t bond with him. I felt totally disconnected from him, even though I was nursing,” she says. “I remember sitting in a rocking chair, listening to him cry on the first day home, and wondering why the cries didn’t really bother me.”

Like many mothers that suffer from the condition, she also experienced thoughts about bad things happening, such as the baby being in a car crash or falling out of a window.

“I imagined that he would be better off with another mother, or that I would be better off without having any children, that I didn’t deserve to have children,” adds Smith.

In her case, she realized within a couple of weeks that there was a problem. Although it took several months for her to feel normal again, she found help through an online support group where she could discuss what she was experiencing. She also began forcing herself to take showers, talking with others about it, and taking frequent walks.

“Over a couple of months, it just slowly got better,” says Smith. “The more I talked to others, even if they were strangers, the less alone I felt, the less disconnected I felt, and finally my son and I were bonded.”

Stress and ChangesPostpartum mood disorders, which take place during the first year after the baby is born, can happen without the mother ever being aware that there is something wrong. Often times, it’s someone around them who notices there is a problem and suggests that the person seek help. Those experiencing the disorder may experience feelings of uselessness, anxiety or worthlessness, and may have thoughts about hurting the child or themselves. They also have trouble sleeping, seem sad and have strong emotional reactions.

“Another thing that is unique to postpartum depression is that women often feel guilty about the way they are feeling and try to hide it from others,” says Dr. Scott. “New moms are given frequent congratulations and often believe that this should be one of the happiest times of their lives. When high expectations clash with negative internal experience, the confusion and distress are even more troubling.”

The condition is caused by the changes in hormonal levels as they begin to go back to normal after being elevated during pregnancy. Those hormonal changes can trigger depression. Even worse, in about one percent of all women giving birth,

and especially in those with bipolar disorder, it can lead to postpartum psychosis, where the person may become frantic and exhibit erratic or even harmful behavior.

When Michelle Buckley of Naples, Florida was pregnant with the first of her two children, she was under a great deal of stress and experiencing changes in her life. Moving and going through a stressful pregnancy didn’t offer much in the way of comfort.

“A tremendous amount of stress came over me, knowing that I was pregnant, having to move to a new town, planning a wedding and learning how to become a mother,” she says. “I was worried about whether I was going to be a good wife and a good mother. Actually, ‘terrified’ would be the word.”

To add to the stress she was experiencing, she developed heart trouble and needed to wear a heart monitor on a daily basis. She was having breathing difficulties, and acquired anemia. She became depressed, and that depression continued after the baby was born, but luckily did not reoccur when she gave birth to her second child, years later.

“My depression got worse. I didn’t sleep for 24 hours at a time,” adds Buckley. “My postpartum lasted exactly one year, to my son’s first birthday. Seeing him celebrate his birthday made me realize that I am a good mother, my son and husband love me, and I can handle this.”

Getting HelpLynne Hurley Norris experienced depression after giving birth to her daughter who, within the first eight weeks, was diagnosed with jaundice, thrush, colic, and a dairy allergy.

“Things were piling up and nothing was getting solved,” says Norris. “It pushed me over the edge.”

Upon going for her six-week postpartum checkup, she expressed the hard time she was having to her OB/GYN, who then began monitoring her condition.

“In just ten days, I went over the edge. I was sleep-deprived. People say to sleep when the baby is sleeping, but that is easier said than done,” she observed.

After breaking down and crying uncontrollably for hours, one day, she called her husband, who immediately took action that set her on the road to recovery.

“He called my doctor right away, and things got diagnosed quickly,” adds Norris. “When you are depressed, it is hard to see the light at the other end of the tunnel. It really messes with your mind.”

For those who have a loved one suffering from the disorder, it is recommended that they first take care of themselves, and also that they maintain a normal relationship with the person. Also, before you can help a loved one, it is important to educate yourself about the causes, indicators, and treatments of depression. Understanding is the key.

“If a new mother finds that she is becoming depressed to the point where it is causing distress, impairing her ability to function, or affecting how she cares for her child, she needs to get professional mental health care,” adds Dr. Scott. “A good psychologist can help you with depressive symptoms, help you adjust to your new roles and responsibilities, and even give you tips to improve your parenting style.”


SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION

Crying a lot or • uncontrollably

Feeling sad or helpless•

Restless, irritable•

Loss of interest•

Trouble focusing or making • decisions

Feeling worthless•

Withdrawing from activities•

Headaches•

Sleeping disturbances•

No energy or motivation•

WHAT TO DOSpeak with your doctor•

Join a support group•

Rest/nap when possible•

Cut back on duties•

Ask others for help•

Talk to others about feelings•

Find time for yourself • each day

POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION TREATMENTAccording to NIH, there are two common treatment options for postpartum depression. The first is therapy, which involves talking to a therapist or psychologist. The second is medication, which involves taking an antidepressant.


Iron MomsIs Fast Always Best?

Fast pace, fast food. Larger portions, larger people. Abundance is the American way. We’ve seen it in

our budgets and we see it in our bodies too. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, 66.3% of non institutionalized adults are overweight; of those people, 32% are considered obese.

In 1988, less than 10% of Oklahomans were obese (according to the

Department of Health and Human Services and the Center for Disease and Control and Prevention), but in 2007, 28.1% of Oklahomans were obese. Over the past 20 years, there has been a dramatic increase in obesity rates across the country.

Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal (2001) was written by investigative journalist Eric Schlosser. He describes the growth of the fast food

industry as driven by basic changes in American society—specifically, two parents working outside the home. In 1975, about one-third of US mothers with young children went to a job outside the home; today almost two-thirds of mothers are employed.

If we look at the growth of the fast food industry and the weight gain of Oklahomans (and Americans in general), they correlate. It adds up to time and simplicity. After an eight hour day of work, tired parents might come home to a full house and a full schedule of homework, church activities, children’s extracurricular activities; and don’t forget to make time for your spouse and friends, hobbies and chores. Whew—who has the time to cook?

Simplicity comes into play as well. After a long day of managing grouchy customers, many moms and dads don’t have enough energy to manage a grouchy family who wants to be fed. It

What does it mean to be an “Iron Mom”? To MetroFamily, an Iron Mom is one who recognizes the importance of her health, the health of her children, and the health of the community. An Iron Mom reads the labels, takes the stairs, and makes the best choices possible for her family.

MetroFamily invites you to join our Iron Moms movement and run or walk the RedBud Classic with us on April 5. Visit MetroFamilyMagazine/Iron-Moms to learn more.

Devonne Carter, LCSW, has been counseling adults and children for over 18 years and knows the heartache and

pain that people feel in life.

She helps others deal with their infertility, marital issues, depression, unplanned pregnancies, living skills, weight

loss, money management and many other life issues.

Join the Overcome Overeating four-week seminar and learn to identify the psychological cues that trigger overeating. Classes start in late March. Find details online; call to register.

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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

WEEK 5 REST Repeat 3 times:run 1/2 mile / walk 1 minute

REST Repeat twice:run 1 mile / walk 1.5 minutes

Cross-Training Day REST 2 mile continuous run

WEEK 6 REST Repeat twice: run 1 mile / walk 1 minute

REST Repeat twice:run 1.25 miles / walk 1.5 minutes

Cross-Training Day REST 2.5 mile continuous run

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may seem easier to pull up to the drive through window and get everyone what they want to eat AND a toy to keep the kids busy for all of two minutes. Two minutes of pure peace can be worth the extra calories some days!

Eating is one area in our lives where it pays to slow down. Make time to cook ahead or take advantage of healthy premade options at your local grocer. There are evenings where it’s just not possible to cook and eat and participate in all of the activities and meet all of the obligations of your family, but cooking ahead or at least thinking ahead about healthy food options will help.

Devonne Carter, LCSW and a Christian counselor, has a general counseling practice and is leading the workshop Overcoming Overeating.

March 16–20, 20099am–4pm each dayStudents in Grades 1st–3rd & 4th–6th

COST: $200/student for members $235/student for non-members

REGISTRATION INCLUDES: Admission to the museum, loads of fun hands-on activities, lunch each day, and a commemorative t-shirt.

Did you ever want to explore and experiment with cool science stuff for

a whole week? Here’s your chance!

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MARCH 11

Present this ad at the time of registration and receive a special gift from The Science Shop. Minimum 30 students. Grade levels will be combined if enrollment is low.

www.sciencemuseumok.org

to register call

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Housewarmers of Edmond 405.612.4593 · housewarmersusa.com/edmond

• • • • •

This is the second half of our 5K training program (the first four weeks were detailed in our February issue; find it online at MetroFamilyMagazine.com/Training-Tips-For-New-Runners).

Join us at the Redbud on April 5 and show us your skills!

The babies on the bus go “wah, wah, wah…” The people on the bus go “shh, shh, shh…” These are a

few verses from my 18 month old son’s favorite song and enormous picture book, The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round. As we eagerly await the birth of our second child, I am gearing up for more joy, love, excitement, and of course more “wah, wah, wah.” By the way, the crying is not just on the part of the infant. There will also be cries heard from me, my wife, my son, our dog and extended family. Crying or complaining is commonplace when we are faced

with making major accommodations in our lives. Over 60 percent of new mothers report experiencing sadness after giving birth to a child. Certainly much of this is due to physical changes in the mother, but environmental and psychological components should not be underestimated. A new child, beautiful as she is, certainly requires accommodation.

Wah, Wah, WahComplaining usually surfaces when we feel we are having to give up something we believe we need to be happy. For instance, you may hear a father “wah, wah, wah” when he feels he is going to lose out on sexual intimacy with his wife or perhaps a cherished round of golf. A mother may shed a tear when she feels she is going to be deprived of adult interaction, her work or attention from her husband. A child may throw a tantrum when he believes he might lose undivided attention. A dog may mope around or refuse to listen if he fears losing walks to the park or belly rubs. Truly, all above-mentioned parties have legitimate gripes. These things are important. Should we just act as if they are not?

Shh, Shh, Shh“The people (adults) on the bus go shh, shh, shh.” The song reminds us that the role of the parent is to quiet or comfort the baby. But sometimes the most difficult challenge for parents is to quiet their own fears. Quieting does not mean dismissing the fear or hurt—a parent is not successful in telling a child that their perceived boo-boo does not really hurt. It is more valuable for a parent to acknowledge the child’s pain and assure the child that there can and will be relief from the suffering. Relief from the pains of change may come from planning, healing, or re-interpreting.

Preparing for the ChangePlanning involves prioritizing needs and carving out time. The challenge of accommodation is making room for the new without neglecting the established. For example, intimacy is a high priority

for healthy couples. A couple would do well to acknowledge the importance of emotional and sexual intimacy and plan time to fulfill those needs. There is still room for spontaneous bonding, but for more regular connecting time you will need to figure out timing.

Acknowledging what is lost is an important step in developing a new rhythm in the family. Missing adult interaction time, a new mom may need to “state the obvious” so outings without baby can be arranged. First born children will certainly miss quality snuggles with mom when her lap is full of the new baby, but labeling and comforting these jealous feelings can go a long way toward healing the hurts brought on by change.

Perhaps the most powerful tool we have to bring about peace and happiness in the face of change is re-interpreting. However, it can be a little tricky and will likely take some time. For instance a father is not going to immediately say,

“I love missing golf with my friends.” A mother will likely not say, “I am so happy to be without the gratification that came from my work.” A child is not going to say, “It makes me warm and fuzzy when mom shifts her attention from me to the new baby.” And the dog will not think, “I jump for joy when daddy changes a diaper instead of rubbing my belly.” However, every party can come to realize that there are new joyful experiences that fill the void created by loss of some of the old experiences.

The changes brought about by a new baby require thoughtful accommodations by everyone in the family. Ongoing problem solving and dialogue can help the wheels on the bus go round and round a little easier, with less “wah, wah, wah.”

Clint Lewis is a health services psychologist within the offi ces of Paul Tobin, Ph.D., PC and Ann Benjamin, M.Ed., Inc.

The changes brought by a new baby require thoughtful accommodations by everyone in the family.


In Touch With RelationshipsThe Babies on the Bus go “Wah, Wah, Wah”


Register Online: www.chesscamp.com

June 1-5Heritage Hall School • OKC

June 22-26Metro Christian Academy • Tulsa

At Game Builder Creation Camp we combine learning and fun and bring it to a whole new level. Your child will actually design, develop and create a one of a kind video game. These courses were developed to not just teach introductory programming skills but to also encourage creative thinking to blend these into an exceptional experience. Who thought learning could be this much fun. Enroll at www.gamebuildercamp.com/video.htm.

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Where can you find the Metro’s number one resource

for all things FAMILY?Find us at all

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* Subscriptions $18.95/year* Subscriptions $18.95/year Celebrating Ten Years

WeeklyChildren’s Story Time at Edmond’s Best of Books, Saturdays, 11-11:30am. 340-9202.

Make & Take craft activities at Lakeshore Learning (6300 N May, OKC) 11am-3pm every Saturday. Free for kids 3 and up. 858-8778, LakeshoreLearning.com.

Family Fun Night at JumpZone (SW 104th & Western) 4:30-8pm every Tuesday and Thursday. 2 adults, 2 children, 1 large pizza, 2 liter pop for $25. For open play hours call 200-1691, JumpZoneParty.com.

StoryTime at Gymboree Penn Square, first Friday of every month, 10am. 842-7540.

Silly Sundays at Unpluggits Playstudio (575 Enterprise Dr, Edmond) Every Sunday, 1-6pm. Free face painting with paid admission or craft purchase. 340-7584, Unpluggits.com.

Tired GrownUps Night at Unpluggits Playstudio. Every Thursday from 4-8pm. Reduced admission price, free snacks. 340-7584, Unpluggits.com.

The UCO Jazz Lab features performances each Friday and Saturday at 8pm. $7 adults, $5 age 12 and under. 359-7989, UCOJazzLab.com.

Children’s Storytime at Full Circle Bookstore (1900 NW Expressway) every Saturday, 10:15am. 842-2900, FullCircleBooks.com

Drop in Art at the OKC Museum of Art. Held every Saturday 1-4pm. Create art inspired by the Museum’s collection, exhibitions, and special occasions. Free with paid admission.

Sunday Nature Hikes at Martin Park Nature Center. Guided park tour and nature hike each Sunday, 2:30pm. Reservations and a fee of $2 are required. 755-0676.

Thursday Noon Tunes at the Downtown Library, 11:30-1pm. Free live music each Thursday.

Toddler Storytime at the Norman Library. Every Monday 9:30-10am.

Wing Chun women’s self-defense classes, Saturdays at 9am. $60 per month. 314-6727, WingChunOKC.com.

MonthlyGymboree of Norman Family Arts Studio is held the third Saturday, 11am-noon. Includes arts & crafts for children 18mos–5 years. $5 per child. Reservations required; 307-8454, GymboreeClasses.com.

March 13-June 30Dinosaurs Unearthed at the OKC Zoo, 9am-5pm. Come face-to-face with the prehistoric rulers of the animal kingdom. Meet such life-like animatronic creatures as the Tyrannosaurus Rex. Free with regular Zoo admission.

Through March 14Edmond’s Melodies: A Music Exhibit at the Edmond Historical Society & Museum. Features Edmond’s musical past and explores just how much music affects our everyday life. EdmondHistory.org.

March 28-May 17Gathering Fragments: Edward S. Curtis in Oklahoma Exhibit at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art. Includes more than 100 images of Oklahoma tribes in a subsequent volume and portfolio published in 1930. A guest lecture by curator Byron Price and Eugene B. Adkins curator Mark White will accompany this exhibition’s opening on March 27, 6pm.

Through March 29Arts of the Amazon from the Museum of the Red River at Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art, Shawnee. Opening reception February 6, 7-9pm. Free. 878-5300, MGMOA.org.

Through April 12Touch the Sky: Prairie Photographs by Jim Brandenburg on exhibit at the Sam Noble OK Museum of Natural History.

Through April 19Harlem Renaissance at the OKC Museum of Art. Explore African American art of the 1920s and 1930s and its lasting legacy. Includes more than 100 paintings, sculptures, and photographs.

Through May 1Gardens in Focus photography exhibit at the Myriad Botanical Gardens features works by local artists of all ages and skill levels who placed in the Gardens in Focus photography contest.

Through July 12Did She Kill ‘em All?! Martha Maxwell, Colorado Huntress Exhibit at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. Exhibit explores Maxwell’s life and career.

March 1 • SundayPortrait Painting at the OKC Museum of Art, 2-4pm. Discover how to transform your portrait drawings into acrylic paintings on canvas. For ages 10-13. $10 members, $15 nonmembers. Pre-registration required.

Musical Theatre Workshop at Norman’s Sooner Theatre, (101 E Main) 4pm. Learn how to help your child through the audition process, choosing the right audition song, what “callback” means, dressing for an audition, the difference between professional, community & educational theatre. Free. Also held 3/28. 321-9600, SoonerTheatre.org.


City Arts CenterFair Park, 3000 Pershing Blvd, OKC951-0000, CityArtsCenter.org.

Fine Arts Institute of Edmond27 E. Edwards, Edmond340-4481, EdmondFineArts.com

Fred Jones Jr Museum of Art555 Elm Ave, Norman325-3272, ou.edu/fjjma

Little River ZooHwy 9, Norman366-7229, LittleRiverZoo.com

Myriad Botanical Gardens301 W Reno, OKC297-3995, MyriadGardens.com

National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum1700 NE 63rd St, OKC478-2250, NationalCowboyMuseum.org

Oklahoma Aquarium300 Aquarium Dr, Jenks918-296-FISH, OKAquarium.org

OKC Museum of Art415 Couch Dr, OKC236-3100, okcmoa.org

OKC National Memorial620 N Harvey, OKC235-3313, OklahomaCityNationalMemorial.org

OKC Zoo2101 NE 50th St, OKC424-3344, OKCZoo.com

Oklahoma Children’s Theatre 2501 N Blackwelder, OKC606-7003, OklahomaChildrensTheatre.com

Oklahoma Heritage Center13th & Shartel, OKC235-4458, OklahomaHeritage.com

Oklahoma History Center2401 N Laird Ave, OKC522-5248, OklahomaHistoryCenter.org

Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History2401 Chautauqua Ave, Norman325-4712, snomnh.ou.edu

Science Museum Oklahoma2100 NE 52nd St, OKC602-OMNI, ScienceMuseumOK.org

Do you have an event for our calendar?

Email it to Calendar Editor Terri Fields, [email protected].

Quick Reference

March 31-April 15The 8th Annual Respect Diversity Symbol Exhibit will be on display at Science Museum Oklahoma. 359-0369, RespectDiversity.org.

2 • MondayThe Oklahoma City Thunder play the Dallas Mavericks at the Ford Center, 7pm. Other home games this month: 3/4, 8, 18, 20, and 24. Tickets, OKFordCenter.com.

2-4Music Theatre Production Promises, Promises at the UCO Jazz Lab, 7:30pm. Also held 3/10-12. 359-7989, UCOJazzLab.com.

3 • TuesdayPianist Rosario Andino in concert at the Bruce Owen Theatre, OCCC Campus (7777 S May, OKC), 7pm. Tickets $10 and up. 682-7579, occc.edu/CAS.

Preschool Story Time at Norman’s Sooner Mall, 10-10:30am. Also held: 3/10, 17, 24 and 31.

4 • WednesdayTeen Wired Wednesday at the Newcastle Public Library, 3:30-5:30pm. Gaming with DDR, Guitar Hero, and Wii games. 387-5076.

5 • ThursdayOKC Blazers play the Wichita Thunder at the Ford Center, 7:10pm. Other home games this month: 3/7, 17, and 21. Tickets, OKFordCenter.com.

Children’s author David Lubar Author Visit at the Belle Isle Library, 9:15-10:15am. The writer of The Curse of the Campfire Weenies and other titles will discuss his books, writing and hungry carnival monsters.

Children’s Workshop: Creature Creators at the Sam Noble OK Museum of Natural History, 4pm. For grades 3-5. Members $15, Non-members $20. Registration required.

A Powerful Noise film screening is held at Quail Springs 24, Tinseltown USA and Norman’s Spotlight 14. The film highlights women around the world who are making a difference. Visit APowerfulNoise.org for details.

6 • FridaySleep With The Sharks! at the Oklahoma Aquarium, 6pm. Activities, snacks, and movies. $50 per person, $5 discount for members. 918-528-1508, OKAquarium.org.

Colorful Containers at the Will Rogers Gardens, (3400 NW 36th ) 9:30am-12:30pm. Learn how to grow fun and easy container plantings with practical plant choices and low maintenance techniques. Free; space limited, call to register. 943-0827

Collaborative Concert with American Choral Directors Association at the Civic Center Music Hall, 8pm. Tickets $18 and up.

Play with Me! Play Group at the Downtown Library, 10-10:50am. Infants to 5 years with adult. A simple craft and a story are included. Registration required.

6-8Sesame Street Live presents Elmo’s Green Thumb at the Cox Convention Center. Showtimes vary; tickets $11 opening night, $13 and up other days. CoxConventionCenter.com.

7 • SaturdayFRIENDS Book Sale at the Noble Public Library, 9am-5pm. Books, magazines, DVDs, VHS tapes, Audiobooks on sale. 872-5713.

Bluegrass Festival in Del City, (2300 S Linda Lane) 7-9:45pm. Family-friendly performances. 760-3064.

Adult Workshop: Fins…Feathers…and Furs: Why Curate the Life Sciences? at the Sam Noble OK Museum of Natural History, 9am-1pm. Explore the fundamentals of ichthyology, ornithology, and mammalogy. Members $20, Non-members $30. Pre-registration required.


1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30 31

MARCH S M T W T F S

Metropolitan Library SystemMetroLibrary.org

Belle Isle, 5501 N Villa, 843-9601

Bethany, 3510 N Mueller, 789-8363

Capitol Hill, 334 SW 26th, 634-6308

Choctaw, 2525 Muzzy, 390-8418

Del City, 4509 SE 15th, 672-1377

Downtown, 300 Park Ave, 231-8650

Edmond, 10 S Boulevard, 341-9282

Midwest City, 8143 E Reno, 732-4828

Ralph Ellison, 2000 NE 23rd, 424-1437

Southern Oaks, 6900 S Walker, 631-4468

The Village, 10307 N Penn, 755-0710

Warr Acres, 5901 NW 63rd, 721-2616

Harrah, 1930 N Church Ave, 454-2001

Jones, 111 E Main, 399-5471

Luther, 310 NE 3rd, 277-9967

Nicoma Park, 2240 Overholser, 769-9452

Wright Library, 2101 Exchange, 235-5035

Pioneer Library Systempls.lib.ok.us

Blanchard, 300 N Main, 485-2275

McLoud, 133 N Main, 964-2960

Moore, 225 S Howard, 793-5100

Newcastle, 705 NW Tenth, 387-5076

Noble, 204 N 5th, 872-5713

Norman, 225 N Webster, 701-2600

Purcell, 919 N Ninth, 527-5546

Shawnee, 101 N Philadelphia, 275-6353

Tecumseh, 114 N Broadway, 598-5955

weekly E-Updateskeep you

in-the-knowSubscribe at MetroFamilyMagazine.com


Craft Fair at Unpluggits Playstudio, 9am-4pm. Local artisians with a wide range of craft boutiques including from kids clothing, jewelry and scrapbooking supplies. 340-plug, [email protected].

7-8Monkey Business Children’s Consignment Sale at the Shawnee Expo Conference Center, 10am-7pm. MonkeyBusinessOK.com.

8 • SundayDiscovery Family Concert Series—Space Rocks! Far Out Music with the OKC Philharmonic Orchestra at the Civic Center Music Hall, 2pm. A concert complete with pre-concert activities, educational games, and musical fun for all ages. Tickets $6 children, $9 adults. 842-5387, OKCPhilharmonic.org.

Amphibian Awareness Day at the OKC Zoo, 5pm. Look for and learn about amphibians on exhibit at the zoo. Free with admission.

OG+E Kids Day at the Oklahoma City Thunder game features special kids discounts and events. Ticketmaster.com/ThunderKids.

9 • MondayStudent Jazz Ensemble Concert at the UCO Jazz Lab, 7pm. Contemporary & Traditional Jazz. Tickets $7. 359-7989, UCOJazzLab.com.

Author William Bernhardt Discussion at the Warr Acres Library, 11am. William will discuss his books and answer questions.

9-14Just Between Friends Consignment Sale at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds, 9am-6pm. JBFSale.com.

10 - TuesdayNoon Concert at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, features a performance by Percussion Studio. Also held 3/24 and 31.

11 • WednesdayOpen house at Stella Maris Learning Center (1324 S Fretz, Edmond), 6-8pm. Includes performances and demonstrations by guitar, piano, dance, and Tae Kwon Do instructors and door prizes. 474-3982.

11-14Phillips 66 Big 12 Basketball Championship at the Ford Center, 11:30am. Tickets for all games are $72 and up. 602-8700, OKCAllSports.org/Big12/MensHoops.htm.

12 • ThursdayUCO Wind Symphony & Symphonic Band in Concert at the Oak Tree Country Club in Edmond, 7:30pm. Free. 974-3375, CAMD.UCO.EDU.

St. Patty Printing at the OKC Museum of Art, 10-11am. Read a story and make a craft. For ages 3-5 with parent. $7.50 members, $10 nonmembers. Registration required.

Make and Take at the Moore Public Library, 10-11:30am. Come and go activities for preschoolers ages 3-6. 793-4347.

The Art of Drawing Manga with Ink at the Edmond Library, 4-5pm. Local artist Alexandra Brodt will teach the class.

13 • FridayNew Deal Mural Sites Bus Trip with the National Cowboy & Heritage Western Museum. One day visit to several New Deal mural sites in Central Oklahoma. Tuition and reservations required.

14 • SaturdaySaint Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown OKC, 1-4pm. Free. 627-6555, OKCStPatsParade.com.

Book Signing and Symposium at the National Cowboy & Heritage Western Museum, 1-4pm. In conjunction with the release of the new book Lanterns on the Prairie: the Blackfeet Photographs of Walter McClintock.

Your (Musical) Childhood—Debbie Reynolds Narrates Peter and the Wolf and The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra at the Civic Center Music Hall, 8pm.. Tickets $12-$65. 842-5387, OKCPhilharmonic.org.

Sea Lion Shows begin at the OKC Zoo, 10am-noon. Shows do not run on Mondays and Tuesdays. $2 adults, $1 children 3-11.

Senior Citizen’s Day at the OKC Zoo, 9am-5pm. Guests ages 65 and older get in for only 65¢.

Parent’s Night Out at Unpluggits Playstudio, 6-10pm. An evening of crafts, pizza and organized playground games. $25 includes one craft, pizza, drink and dessert. Ages 6 and up. Reservations required. 340-PLUG, [email protected].

The Buzz Free Block Party at Santa Fe South Middle School (4712 S Santa Fe), 8am-4pm, features cookout, talent show, games, live music and substance abuse awareness information. 417-7688.

14-15Spring Fling at the Martin Nature Center. A variety of outdoor activities and specialized nature hikes. Program times vary. $2 per person per hike. Space is limited. Call to register. 755-0676. (moved; was below the 16-17 entry below)

15-20Zydeco music from Louisiana features Creole musicians Leon and Joseph Chavis at locations in the MetroLibrary system. Sunday: Downtown 2pm. Monday: Ralph Ellison, noon; Midwest City, 7pm. Tuesday: Southern Oaks, 1pm; Bethany 7pm. Wednesday: Choctaw 10:30am; Warr Acres 2pm. Thursday: The Village, 1pm; Belle Isle, 7pm. Friday: Edmond, 10am; Del City, 1pm.

16-17Children’s Safety Challenge at the Edmond Fire Administration Building (5300 E Covell), 8:30am. Event for children age 4-6 to learn life-saving safety tips. $15 includes t-shirt & snack. 216-7303.

17 • TuesdayArt Adventures: Through Georgia’s Eyes by Rachel Rodriguez at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, 10:30am. Young artists are invited to experience art through books and related art projects for children ages 3 to 5 accompanied by an adult. Free.

18 • WednesdayBlue Note Records 70th Anniversary Tour at Norman’s Sooner Theatre (101 E Main), 8pm. Concert features an all-star band of jazz musicians. Tickets $30 and up. 321-9600, SoonerTheatre.org.(405) 200-1691

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19 • ThursdayGaither Homecoming at the Ford Center, 7pm. Tickets $19.50 and up. 602-8700, OKFordCenter.com.

Mad Rocket Science at the Del City Library, 4-5:30pm. Mad rocket scientist Kristi Adams will teach students how to create rockets from common household items. Teens. Registration required.

Teen Healthy Eating at the Moore Public Library, 4-6pm. Learn healthy eating and simple cooking skills. Registration required.

20 • FridayNatural Health and Home at the Newcastle Library, 4:30-6pm. Learn how to make and use natural health products for your home and then share what you know with others. 387-5076.

Pizza and Pillow Party for girls at Unpluggits Playstudio, 6-10pm. $25 includes all supplies, pizza, drink and dessert. Ages 8 and up. Registration required. 340-PLUG, [email protected]

20-21Big Bad Voodoo Daddy at the Civic Center Music Hall, 8pm. One giant step from the swing era of the 40s into the 21st Century. Tickets $12-$65. 842-5387, OKCPhilharmonic.org.

22 • SundayLipizzaner Stallions at the Ford Center, 2pm or 6pm. Includes many of the traditional movements and exercises presented at the world-renowned Spanish Riding School of Vienna. Tickets $22.50 and up. Lipizzaner.com.

23-28Just Between Friends Consignment Sale at the State Fairgrounds, 10am-7pm. $2 admission. JBFSale.com.

24-29Sugar & Spice Children’s Consignment Sale at the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center. 275-2945, [email protected].

25 • WednesdayFree Admission to the Myriad Gardens Crystal Bridge.

26 • ThursdayTaste of Yukon at the Robertson Activity Center, 5:30-7:30pm. Features local and area restaurants and food vendors. 350-8937, CI.Yukon.OK.US.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at the Rose State Performing Arts Center, 7:30pm. Tickets $49.50 and up. 733-7673.

26-28Sooner Theatre 2009 Summer Production Camp

Auditions, 4-7pm. Performers ages 8-18 should prepare 16-32 bars of a standard Broadway song. Please bring sheet music. An accompanist will be provided. Auditions must be scheduled in advance by calling 321-9600. SoonerTheatre.org.

27 • FridayFamily Night Out: Wild in the Garden at the Sam Noble OK Museum of Natural History, 6-8:30pm. Enjoy dinner and complete a project to take home. $10 members, $12 non-members. Space is limited; pre-registration is required.

27-28FUBAR: The Musical Part 4 at the Pegasus Theater, (UCO Liberal Arts Building) 7:30pm. Live musicians accompany the performers in this celebration of life. 974-3375, camd.uco.edu.

27-29Ballet Oklahoma presents The Wizard of Oz at the Civic Center Music Hall, 8pm. Tickets $26 and up.

28 • SaturdayArbor Day Celebration at the Festival Market Place in Edmond, 1-4pm. Edmond tree professionals conduct tree planting demonstrations and give out free trees and t-shirts. Also includes demonstrations and booths from various organizations and kids’ activities. Free. 359-4469, EdmondOK.com.

Kids Fair USA at the State Fairgrounds features family-friendly fun, activities and information. Admission $5, under 2 free; 10am-5pm. 528-3548, KidsFairUSA.com.

Guthrie Art Walk in Downtown Guthrie, 2-8pm. Focuses on individual artists who are the guests of participating galleries and businesses. New works by the

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guest artists are featured in a leisurely Saturday evening walkabout. 282-1947, GuthrieOK.com.

Boys Night Out at Unpluggits Playstudio, 6-10pm. Make leather crafts, organized playground games and pizza. $25. Ages 8 and up. Reservations required. 340-PLUG, [email protected].

28-29Opening Weekend at Frontier City. 478-2140, FrontierCity.com.

29 • SundayBasics of Printmaking at the OKC Museum of Art, 2-4pm. Learn basic printmaking techniques. For ages 10-13. $10 members, $15 nonmembers. Registration required.

2009 NCAA Division 1 Women’s Basketball Regional at the Ford Center, 6:30pm. Tickets $36 and up. Also held 3/31. 602-8700, OKFordCenter.com.

Family Day at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, 1-4pm. Explore American art in permanent collection and temporary exhibitions, then enjoy a variety of art activities for the entire family. Free.

31 • TuesdayChildren’s Story Time at the Shawnee Library, 10-10:30am. Books, music, stories and games for children older than two years. 275-6353.

The Whole Green World at Belle Isle Library, 10-11am. Hear a story about the runaway garden and have a snack and activity. For pre-kindergarten. Pre-register.

The 8th Annual Respect Diversity Symbol Exhibit opening reception at Science Museum Oklahoma, 5pm. Includes program, desserts, and exhibit. 359-0369, RespectDiversity.org.

April 3-5Sugar & Spice Consignment Sale, 2240 N Broadway, Moore (off I-35 behind the Home Creations Building). SugarandSpiceConsignment.com.

April 4 • SaturdayThe Children’s Hospital’s Baby & Toddler Expo 2009 at the Cox Convention Center features vendors, contests and resources. Free; 9:30am-5pm.

April 4-5The Tulsa Ballet’s production of Cinderella is held at the Rose State Performing Arts Center. Saturday 7pm, Sunday 2pm. Tickets, $15 and up, available at 808-1470, TulsaBallet.org.

The 27th Annual RedBud Classic includes 5k & 10k runs, 10-, 33-, and 52-mile bike tours, children’s fitness run, 2-mile fun run/walk, 2-mile baby stroller derby, 5k wheelchair event, and pasta on the pond. Proceeds benefit the Boys Town Ranch. 842-8295, RedBud.org.

April 19 • SundayMetroFamily Magazine’s Oklahoma’s Summer Adventure Expo is held from noon-5pm at the Sheraton Hotel Pavilion in downtown Oklahoma City (just north of the Cox Convention Center). Find summer programs and activities for your family and Oklahoma-friendly travel destinations. Also includes inflatables for the kids, hands-on activities, demonstrations, entertainment, giveaways, prizes and affordable concessions. 340-1404 or MetroFamilyMagazine.com.

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There are as many support groups in the Metro as there are needs for them. To include your group in our listing, please email details to [email protected].


Find more events and support groups at

MetroFamilyMagazine.com/calendar

Childbirth & BabiesDACO (Doula Association of Central OK), 455-1500, DACOinc.org.

La Leche League meets at Gymboree Play & Music in Norman the second Saturday of each month, 10am-noon. Family Gym is available at $5 per family for partners and children of meeting attendees.

La Leche League breastfeeding information and support. Meetings in Moore and NW OKC. Visit the calendar at MetroFamilyMagazine.com for dates, times, and contact info. lllusa.org.

Counseling & SupportDivorce Recovery Group, Wednesdays at 7pm, Quail Springs Church of Christ (14401 N May), room 308. 755-4790.

Free drug and alcohol addiction classes offered by A Chance to Change Foundation at the Last Frontier Council Scout Service Center (3031 NW 64th), 6:30-8pm Mondays. 840-9000, AChanceToChange.org.

Grief Support Group, Wednesdays at 7pm, Quail Springs Church of Christ (14401 N May), room 110. 755-4790.

H.O.P.E. Gynecologic Cancer Support at the OU Physicians Building, (5th floor) the first Saturday of each month at 10am. 271-8001 ext 48165, 672-1748.

Mondays Friends Breast Cancer Support Group second Monday, 7pm. Midwest Regional Breast Care Center. 610-8872, [email protected].

Birth Parent support group, first Monday, 6-7:30pm. Deaconess Pregnancy & Adoption Services (5300 N Meridian). 949-4200 ext 13.

United Methodist Church of the Servant (14343 N MacArthur), holds Discoveries Program classes for adults. Call Gayle 720-8480 for full listing.

Crossings Community Church (14600 N Portland) holds a variety of Care Series classes and support groups. 755-2227 or CrossingsOKC.org.

Pancreatic Cancer support group, last Thursday, 6pm. O’Donoghue Research Building (1122 NE 13th Street), 3rd Floor Surgery Research Conference Room. 271-2108 or ouhsc.edu/surgery/pancan.

Breast Cancer Survivor support group, second Thursday, 6:30pm. Young Survival Coalition (for women under 40), third Wednesday, noon. Breast Imaging of OK (2601 Kelley Pointe Pkwy, Edmond). 844-2601 ext 1031.

Breast Cancer awareness group for survivors and women who want to learn more. First Monday, 7pm. Eastside Church of Christ (916 S Douglas), 732-0393.

Breast Cancer support group at the OU Breast Institute

(825 NE10th), Suite 3500, third Thursday, noon-1pm. Lunch provided; register 271-8001, ext 48592, or 271-8001 ext. 48527.

Amputees’ Next Step support group, second Tuesday 1-3pm. O’Donoghue Rehabilitation Institute (1122 NE 13th, room 252). OUPhysicians.com.

Parents of Children with Cancer support group, second Wednesday at noon (complimentary lunch). Children’s Hospital (930 NE 13th). 943-8888.

Parents Helping Parents confidential meetings for parents of children who abuse drugs. First and third Tuesdays. Oklahoma Blood Institute in Edmond, 642-8198, ParentsHelpingParents.info.

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society-sponsored Family Support Group. First Thursday, 6pm, Integris Baptist Medical Center. 943-8888.

Myeloma Support Group. Third Thursday, 6pm, 7th floor Conference room, Presbyterian Tower, OU Medical Center, 271-6557.

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society-sponsored Spanish-Speaking Group. First Tuesday, 6pm at Integris Southwest Medical Center, 636-7560; and first Wednesday, 5pm at the 7th floor Conference room, Presbyterian Tower, OU Medical Center, 271-7930.

Family Support Group for leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma survivors and caregivers, second Tuesday, 6pm. Mercy Cancer Center, 943-8888.

HealthWomen’s Yoga Center offers women’s, prenatal, kids and mommy & baby yoga classes. 607-6699, WomensYogaCenter.com.

Daily Yoga Classes (adult, teen, prenatal, meditation, and senior) for beginning and advanced students. $12 and up. 203-8927, 3rdStreetYogaStudio.com.

Prenatal & Postnatal Yoga. $8-$15 per class. 474-3302 or MamasteYoga.com for locations and times.

Parenting GroupsMom’s Got Connections Christian group for moms with young children (birth-5yrs). Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, OKC, 9:30-11am Tuesdays. [email protected] or 359-9251.

MOMS Club (Moms Offering Moms Support) activity groups meet in Edmond, OKC, Moore, Midwest/Del City, and Norman. MOMSClub.org.

MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) support groups meet in Choctaw, Norman, Edmond, and OKC. Visit our online calendar for dates, times, and contact info.

Edmond’s Mothers of Multiples, second Thursday at Edmond Hospital, 7pm. 285-5208 and 315-0338, EdmondMoms.com.

Special NeedsParents Fighting Autism third Monday of the month, 7pm. Olive Garden in Norman. Free. Location subject to change, contact [email protected].

OKC Area Stuttering Support Group for adults. Third Tuesday, 6:30-7:30pm. First United Methodist Church, 303 E Hurd, Edmond. [email protected].

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren support group for grandparents and other relatives raising children. First and third Tuesday, 6pm, Trinity Church of the Nazarene. 634-4400 ext. 140.

CHADD ADD/ADHD support meeting, second Tuesday at 7pm. Deaconess Medical Offices North. 722-1ADD, 419-4176, or CHADD.org.

The free Talking Hands sign language class meets Thursdays, 6:30-7:30pm, 300 N Air Depot, Midwest City. [email protected].

Hope Link meetings for parents of special-needs children or children with undiagnosed disorders. Integris Baptist Medical Center, first Thursday, 6pm. 271-5072, OKCHopeLink.org.

3 • TuesdayStuttering and Self-Esteem Workshop at the Warr Acres Public Library, 3:30-5pm. Free. Registration required. 425-4412.

10 • TuesdayTools for Effective Parenting at the Edmond Public Library, 6-7:30pm. Registration required. 425 4412.

11 • WednesdayPrenatal Yoga hosted by Mamaste yoga and DACO, 6pm. Babies R Us, 1731 Belle Isle Boulevard, 840-2829.

24 • TuesdayPump & Go Breastfeeding information workshop at Babies R Us, 6:30pm. Clean & Bright daily care workshop, 7:30pm. 1731 Belle Isle Boulevard. 840-2829.

30 • MondayBaby Sign Language Workshop at the Midwest City Library, 2:30-3:30pm. For parents of children 9-22 months. Registration required. 425-4412.

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Babies-R-Us ............................................... 29Bella Blu Maternity and Baby .....................40Best of Books ............................................. 17Bill Veazey’s Party Store ............................50Bouncin’ Craze ...........................................30Bright Smile Family Dentistry ..................... 52Camp 110, Santa Fe Family Life Center ..........8Chess Camp ...............................................43 Crossings Christian School ........................13Devonne Carter’s Counseling ....................40Edmond Parks and Recreation ........................7Frontier Country Marketing Association .. 27-28Funky Monkey ............................................ 14Ginger’s Kindermusik ................................. 47The Goddard School ....................................27Green Country Marketing Association ........ 25Guitar 4 Kids ............................................... 18Gymboree ................................................... 47HeyDay Family Entertainment ....................23

Holy Trinity School...................................... 18Housewarmers of Edmond ......................... 41Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum ........... 28Jimmy’s Egg ................................................17Jump Zone .................................................. 46Just Between Friends ................................. 26Kids Fair USA The Family Expo ................. 31Kumon Math and Reading ......................... 14Liberty Mutual Insurance .............................. 9The Lion King Contest Form ....................... 23Little River Zoo ........................................... 28Lyric Theatre .............................................. 28Mad Science of Central Oklahoma ............. 47March of Dimes ............................................ 4Maui Playcare .............................................30McDonalds.................................................. 51MetroFamily Iron Moms................................ 4MetroFamily Summer Adventure EXPO ...15, 27MetroFamily Exploring Oklahoma With Children ..............................................16Metropolitan Library System .......................33Missouri Military Academy ..........................43Moore Norman Technology Center .............. 9Mount Saint Mary Catholic High School .....43My Princess Parties.................................... 48Neal McGee Homes, Inc. .............................3OCU Performing Arts Academy .................. 28

Oklahoma Association of Optometric Physicians ................................ 39Oklahoma Aquarium ................................... 25Oklahoma City Museum of Art .................... 27Oklahoma City Thunder .............................. 17Oklahoma Heritage Museum ...................... 28OU Cancer Institute .................................... 19OU Outreach .............................................. 35Paint’N Station............................................ 48Primrose School .........................................36Redbud Classic ................................................2Sam Noble OK Museum of Natural History .... 31Science Museum Oklahoma ....................... 41Seeking Sitters ........................................... 29Sensational Kids ......................................... 29Stella Maris Learning Center ...................... 48Taylor Made Photography ........................... 22Trinity School .............................................. 30Tulsa Ballet ................................................. 42United Way ................................................. 19University of Central Oklahoma ..................26Unpluggits Play Studio ...............................35UPS Store .................................................. 29Velocity Dance ............................................ 47Westminster School ................................... 24Women’s Yoga Center ................................40YMCA ........................................................... 9

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